It´s a mountain rich in history, nature and adventure; glide up in a revolving cable car whilst enjoying 360° views of the city; charter a helicopter, or take the extreme route down - mountain bike, paraglide, or abseil. 350 hiking trails on the mountain cater to all levels of fitness; or see the best the Mother City and its extraordinary mountain has to offer on the portered, 3-day Hoerikwaggo Trail.

Wetlands protect two species of endangered frog and rare sea birds such as the Damara tern and African black oystercatcher. But the star of the show is the Southern Right whale which calls in to calve and frolic in the months of June - November.

]]> ]]> #Highlights 20.00867118751057,-34.82930533391976,0 Cape Point Cape Point is a place of breathtaking natural and geographical impact; at the extreme of this ruggedly beautiful peninsula, the southern African continent ends, the cold Benguela and the warm Agulhas currents converge and shipwrecks litter its turbulent waters. The sheer cliffs and spectacular scenery of this coastal reserve are awe-inspiring, and visitors encounter indigenous plants, animals and plentiful birdlife on scenic hikes and trails.

Aerial view of Cape Point

The Flying Dutchman Funicular: © SANparks

Water-based activities include dolphin and whale watching, fishing, scuba diving or relaxed snorkelling in tidal pools. Discover its fascinating cultural and maritime history in the visitors centre; ride the funicular railway named after the ghostly sailing-ship, the Flying Dutchman to the old lighthouse or visit the restaurants and souvenir shops.

]]> ]]> #Highlights 18.4948323018975,-34.3565933143281,0 Cape Town One of the top city destinations in the world, Cape Town charms with its laid-back cosmopolitan atmosphere, modern amenities and sunny Mediterranean climate. A top attraction is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour, with its world-class Two Oceans Aquarium, museums, restaurants, boat trips, shops, hotels and entertainment.

Cape Town overlooking Table Bay

Clifton Beach

Don't miss the historic Castle of Good Hope fortress, or the inspiring museums and art collections. Experience the colourful Muslim quarter in the Bo Kaap and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens holds music concerts in the summer on Sunday evenings. Cruise the sunset-strip of Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, take the scenic route over Chapman´s Peak and stop off in Hout Bay for a fresh seafood feast.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 18.4254049289119,-33.91563796431567,0 Robben Island Named for the Dutch word ´robbe´, or seals, for nearly 400 years Robben Island, 12 kilometres off the coast of Cape Town, was a place of banishment, isolation, institutional brutality and imprisonment. Through a triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity, the island´s most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, and his fellow freedom fighters succeeded in turning Robben Island into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation; the island is now a World Heritage Site.

Robben Island looking towards Table Mountain

Robben Island prison courtyard

The boat trip between Cape Town and Robben Island provides an opportunity to see Cape Fur seals, Southern Right whales, and Dusky and Heaviside dolphins. But for most, it is the emotional experience of Robben Island that lingers.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 18.37197347269551,-33.80054018615438,0 Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth´s known as the ´friendly city´ with its marvellous weather, Blue Flag beaches, water sports amenities, and family-style amusements. The Donkin Trail takes you on foot to 47 historic sites commemorating the 1820 British Settlers; and the Port Elizabeth Museum complex showcases the area´s culture and history, or there´s Bayworld´s reptile park, tropical bird house and oceanarium, where trained seals and dolphins perform.

Dolphins at Oceanarium

Hobie Beach

Play at the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World or take the Apple Express steam train over the highest narrow-gauge bridge in the world. The city´s townships offer cross-cultural interactions that shouldn´t be missed; in New Brighton, the Red Location Museum remembers the story of apartheid, or take a guided tour to community projects in KwaZakhele and Ramaphosa Squatter Camp. Less than 100 km away, see Addo Elephant National Park´s famous giants, and the Big 5 - elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard - at the exclusive Shamwari Game Reserve.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 25.6137528001845,-33.97339078008908,0 Soweto Just outside Johannesburg, you´ll find Soweto, the largest of South Africa´s townships - a colourful mish-mash of shacks, matchbox houses and mansions. A former hotbed of anti-apartheid activity, must-see struggle sites include the Hector Peterson Museum and Memorial Square commemorating the 1976 Soweto Riots, and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, the site of protest meetings during the uprising.

Get to know the locals at a shebeen (Tavern)

FNB Stadium. Credit: City of Johannesburg

Only on Vilakazi Street can you see the homes of two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Mandela´s home is now a museum, while the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in historic Kliptown celebrates the birth of democracy. Soweto is renowned for the heart-warming hospitality of its people, sample a meal of pap and stew with local jazz at a traditional shebeen (tavern) or township restaurant.

]]> #Highlights 27.87280000000002,-26.2733,0 ]]> ]]> Kruger National Park This world-renowned park is one of South Africa´s most popular tourist attractions. Covering nearly 2 million hectares, it forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, linking South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It features 16 ecosystems and provides sanctuary to 147 mammal, 507 bird, 114 reptile, 49 fish, 336 tree and 34 amphibian species. The highlight for visitors is undoubtedly a 4x4 game drive or walking safari to spot the Big 5 - elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhinoceros.

Stay in one of many camps

The king of the Big 5

With traces of ancient African civilisations, magical baobab trees and massive elephant and buffalo herds to the north and sandy riverbeds and open grasslands that attract antelope, lion, leopard and endangered wild dogs in the south, the Kruger National Park comprises a fascinating confluence of biological diversity and history.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 31.54052706299229,-25.45964505446732,0 Durban Durban, South Africa´s most popular seaside resort has it all - temperate weather all year round, fantastic beaches for swimming and surfing, five-star hotels and luxury apartments overlooking the warm Indian Ocean, and a ´Golden Mile´ of beachfront that´s packed with activities for the whole family.

Durban´s miles of golden sand

Fascinating Zulu culture

There´s uShaka Marine World theme park with its aquarium, dolphinarium, wet ´n´ wild water rides and themed restaurants. Daredevil adventure sports of every type are on offer in Durban or a short distance away. Hindu temples and the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere add a touch of Asian colour, or head for the Valley of 1000 Hills for an authentic Zulu cultural experience. Durban´s nightlife is hot too - Florida Road buzzes with trendy clubs and top-notch restaurants.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 31.02735052776049,-29.85773924019491,0 The Wild Coast Stretching from Port Edward for approximately 280km is the untamed, rocky Wild Coast with its countless natural attractions, mystical history and rich Xhosa heritage. Walk for miles along sandy white beaches, and visit the spectacular Hole-in-the-Wall where relentless waves have pounded a hole into the cliffs.

Hole-in-the-Wall, Transkei Wild Coast

Horse riding on the beach

Watch dolphins at play or stop off at one of the many cosy hotels, where personal attention is the order of the day. Explore its rugged beauty on horseback or hiking trails; and enjoy fresh-from-the-ocean seafood. Visit the Wild Coast Sun Casino and finish off at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club, affording golfers some of the most spectacular views of any course in the world.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 30.1889274076828,-31.08634264580379,0 uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park A cultural and natural World Heritage Site, covering over 243 000 hectares, uKhahlamba (a Zulu word meaning ´battlement of spears´) is South Africa´s greatest mountain range. Literally meaning ´dragon mountain´, the park protects an astonishing variety of fauna and flora, including Cape and Bearded vultures, and it´s often snow-covered in winter. In the northern and central ´Berg, Royal Natal National Park, Champagne Castle, Monk´s Cowl and Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve are some of the most scenic areas.

Hikers, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg

San rock art, Game Pass Shelter, Giant´s Castle

To the south, eland are protected in Giants Castle Game Reserve, and Sani Pass climbs a hair-raising 2 345m above sea level to the ´roof of the world´. Climbing and hiking is the best way to experience the spectacular scenery and the many well-preserved San rock art sites located throughout the ´Berg.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 29.48641308833246,-29.36202218679888,0 Sabi Sand Game Reserve Located in Mpumalanga´s lowveld, Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a private wildlife conservancy hailed as a blueprint for modern day conservation in southern Africa. Nineteen privately owned properties share a common unfenced boundary with the world famous Kruger National Park; animals roam freely so guests at the luxury safari lodges are guaranteed unrivalled game viewing all year round.

Leopard Lounging in a tree

Overlooking the Sabi River

Accommodation options are outstanding whether it´s a lavish tree-top chalet or a cosy riverside bungalow, but those seeking a designer bush experience shouldn´t miss the avant garde Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge; whilst eco-tourists should opt for Singita´s Ebony or Boulders lodges. For bushveld glamour, Ulusaba is Sir Richard Branson´s private conservation haven; and the leopards of Londolozi are legendary.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 30.79999887760454,-25.11666724850155,0 iSimangaliso Wetland Park The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site was recently renamed iSimangaliso, an isiZulu name meaning "you are in the land of miracles". Nowhere else on earth does the world´s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world´s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world´s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world´s biggest marine mammal (the whale).

View across Lake St Lucia

Hippos are abundant in iSimangaliso

Rare palm nut vultures, leatherback turtles and dolphins, along with hippos and crocodiles in their thousands, are some of the inhabitants of this complex and diverse ecosystem. Praised for its ambitious social and conservation initiatives which have ensured benefits for the Swati, Shangaan and Tsonga communities living within its boundaries, the park conserves pristine beaches, 25 000-year-old dunes, and world-class diving and snorkelling sites.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 32.43497132190434,-28.00653655132549,0 Tshwane Tshwane (Pretoria), as we now call our executive capital city, is befittingly stately. It is presided over by the Herbert Baker-designed Union Buildings, the seat of government. Visit the city in October when it bursts into a profusion of purple Jacaranda blossoms. Some of the best tourist attractions are the National Zoological Gardens, Aquarium and Reptile Park; the National Botanical Gardens; Church Square; Melrose House; Museum Park; the Pretoria Art Museum and the Voortrekker Monument.

Purple Jacaranda trees are a Tshwane icon

The imposing Union Buildings at night

Tshwane´s newest monument is Freedom Park (set for completion in 2009), a tribute to reconciliation, humanity and freedom. There´s Hatfield Square for shopping and entertainment; opera, ballet and classical music have their place at the State Theatre and the city has many acclaimed fine dining restaurants.

]]> ]]> #Highlights 28.18772778250131,-25.74189336830348,0 Johannesburg Jo´burg; is South Africa´s economic powerhouse, but there´s so much more besides its world-class business infrastructure - it´s a cosmopolitan beehive loaded with history, culture, shopping and entertainment. At Gold Reef City Casino theme park, experience Gauteng´s gold mining past and thrilling rides, while the Apartheid Museum´s haunting exhibitions portray South Africa´s previously turbulent political history. Cross the striking Nelson Mandela Bridge into Jozi´s; creative hub, the Newtown Cultural Precinct, and visit Museum Africa, art galleries, the Market Theatre, or tour the SAB World of Beer.

Johannesburg has the world´s largest man-made forest

Gold Reef City theme park

Constitution Hill and the Origins Centre in nearby Braamfontein narrates the country´s history through challenging exhibitions; and don´t miss the Johannesburg Art Gallery´s extensive collections. There´s superlative shopping at Sandton City, Rosebank and Melrose Arch, and the city´s nightlife offers restaurants, clubs, theatres and casinos.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 28.05003543525316,-26.14435568539506,0 Sun City The African-themed Sun City casino and entertainment complex offers more than just gaming. For kids there´s the Valley of the Waves, a man-made pool and beach with mechanically-produced waves, water chute rides and the 17m high Temple of Courage waterslide is scream-inducing fun. The Palace Hotel provides a fantasy backdrop for the par-72 Lost City Golf Course, where green fairways contrast with pristine African bush and 2m crocodiles laze around the water feature on the 13th hole.

Palace of the Lost City, Sun City

18th Hole, Gary Player Country Club

The Gary Player Country Club course hosts the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge, with challenging water hazards and sly bunkers it's one of the longest courses in the world. Attractions include five-star hotels, fine dining, live stage extravaganzas, a cultural village, and crocodile farm. You can also go on safari in the nearby Big 5 Pilanesberg and Madikwe Game Reserve´s.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 27.09619512163714,-25.34349841837373,0 Pilgrim´s Rest Nestling in a leafy Lowveld valley, the whole of historic Pilgrim's Rest, a well-preserved gold mining village, has been declared a national monument. It´s a living museum where you´ll uncover the fascinating history of South Africa´s first gold rush.

Pilgrim's Rest Surrounds

Royal Hotel Bar

Along with the town´s quaint Victorian architecture, which remains largely unchanged, you´ll discover the pioneering spirit of rugged gold miners, eccentric prospectors and, there´s a plethora of original mining paraphernalia on view; whilst its historic buildings house shops, restaurants, handicraft centres, museums and accommodation.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 30.79086303045422,-24.77437425001771,0 Klein and Central Karoo Situated between scenic mountain ranges, the Klein Karoos´ fertile valleys produce world-class fortified wines; Oudtshoorn is a major attraction with its ostrich farms, limestone Cango Caves, unusual wildlife ranches and annual cultural festival. Dotted with flat-topped hills and windmills, the red-sand plains of the Central Karoo appear desolate until precious rainfall releases brilliant flower carpets and aromatic Karoo scrub to feed its famous lambs.

Central Karoo

Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn

Sutherland´s crystal clear skies are perfect for stargazing; see beehive-shaped Corbelled houses in Williston and Fraserburg, while the Tankwa Karoo National Park is a global diversity hotspot. Most memorable of all, the Karoo´s hospitality is as legendary as its landscapes.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 22.52899048129735,-32.27960277777778,0 Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, on the Elephant Coast, is the oldest proclaimed wildlife sanctuary in South Africa; see plentiful antelope and the Big 5 in a varied landscape of steep, wooded hills, grass covered slopes and riverine woodland, with world-class bird watching and diverse marine life offshore. A water safari on the Hluhluwe Dam provides excellent game-viewing, while guided wilderness trails mean a close encounter with its famous rhinos.

Elephant Bulls

Waterways of the Unfolozi River

Instrumental in saving the white rhino, the park is home to a fifth of the world´s white and endangered black rhino populations. Superlative eco-safari lodges, community craft projects, Zulu cultural villages and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, nearby will ensure an unforgettable stay.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 32.1643701560815,-27.86398454563374,0 Zululand Evergreen hills and sugar cane field covered valleys belong to the ´the people of heaven´, the AmaZulu. Admire Zulu craftsmanship in the Vukani Collection, a museum of Zulu art and artefacts; and, near Ulundi, you´ll find Ondini, the reconstructed royal enclosure of the great Zulu king Cetshwayo. Visit sacred Zulu burial sites, museums and historic sites within eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park; there are historic battle sites, and a myriad of game and nature reserves to explore, whilst Zulu cultural villages like Shakaland and DumaZulu are a must-do.

Zululand´s Green valleys

Zulu Maidens Dancing

Go for the day or overnight in a traditional reed hut, whilst experiencing the history and myth of authentic Zulu culture through traditional feasts, dancing and music; consult with an inyanga (traditional healer) or treat yourself to some exquisite beadwork before visiting the bathing beaches of Richards Bay.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Highlights 32.22937580608613,-28.02675933227574,0 Adventure 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Richtersveld Canoe Adventure Between Namibia and South Africa, the definitive river adventure getaway waits in the Richtersveld; and there´s no better way to discover the extraordinary mountain desert scenery and the tranquillity of the mighty !Gariep (Orange) River than by canoe. River trails offer varied bird life and rousing rapids to give you an endorphin-kick, as you paddle through the drama of two million year-old landscapes, enclosed by crinkled, weather-worn peaks.

Orange River scenery Credit: © Bundi

Rapids Credit: © Bundi

Highlights include fishing, impromptu swimming, wave surfing, riverside campsites with open fires and star gazing, and for more active paddlers, hiking, and rock climbing. Or combine your trip with an exciting 4x4 trail through the protected landscape of the AilAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. On this meandering waterway, the days trickle by, and you´re carried away by an awesome new sight around each bend, on a gentle water journey that will feed your soul. ]]> ]]> ]]> #Adventure 17.11701403536769,-28.271786359792,0 Gliding Du Toits Kloof Adventure Glider pilots describe their aerial antics as soaring, using the atmospheric conditions of the earth to achieve pure engineless flight. Experience legendary soaring conditions at Worcester, in the Breede River Valley, outside Cape Town; the arid, often hot and windy, giving excellent soaring opportunities during peak weather periods; summer offers the best thermic conditions; while winter winds precipitate high mountain lee-waves.

Ready to soar Credit: © Adriaan Hepburn

Winter snow Credit: © Adriaan Hepburn

A flight over the saw-toothed peaks of the Du Toits Kloof Mountain range will leave you breathless; as the cloud banks become your lofty playground and you search out thermals, climbing higher and higher until you´re ridge-riding, with no sound except the rush of wind. Fly for a few hours or the whole day, the views are so incredible you won´t want to come down; this is a true bird´s eye view as you circle majestic high-peak scenery from 5 000 - 20 000 feet above the ground, it´s the ultimate airborne escape: a peaceful, weightless, out-of-this-world adventure that´ll make your adrenalin soar.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 19.15064610407374,-33.71690027365582,0 Crazy Croc Adventure They´ve a bite pressure of over two tons per square inch (4 x that of a Great White Shark) and they´re notorious man-eaters, so what are you doing getting up close and personal with one? Face your fears at the world´s only croc cage-diving experience at the Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn. Take on the ultimate aquatic thrill, as you´re lowered in a specially designed croc-proof cage, into a heated pool filled with five 4m Nile crocodiles; eye-to- eye with these prehistoric predators you can imagine them sizing you up as a snack!

Prehistoric Predator Credit: © Cango Wildlife Ranch & Valley of Ancients

Snapper Gorge over dive pool Credit: © Cango Wildlife Ranch & Valley of Ancients

Proof of your courage is a photograph of you surrounded by these ferocious carnivores, but this is one wildlife encounter you´ll never forget. Can´t face the cage? Brave Snapper Gorge, a hanging bridge suspended over the ´Croc Cage´ pool where observing the crocodiles that patrol the waters exceeds your wildest expectations. ]]> ]]> #Adventure 22.21913497371681,-33.5609928234249,0 Thunder City Adventure Based in Cape Town, Thunder City is the only civilian operator to offer supersonic flights in former military jets; they own the world´s largest collection of historic flying jets; act as a US National Test Pilot School outpost, operate the world´s only flying English Electric Lightnings (cold war supersonic jet interceptors); and Bae Buccaneers (low-level tactical nuclear-capable bomber jets); plus the largest flying fleet of Hawker Hunter jets. And you´ll get more mind-blowing excitement during three-hours of flying than most people experience in a lifetime. Your pilot releases the brakes on the Lightning, the afterburners light-up, and in 10 seconds you´re airborne, crushed into your seat by g-forces and accelerating vertically, 50,000 feet per minute.

English Lightning: © Thunder City

Lighting Pair Credit: © Thunder City

At altitude you´re higher than a commercial airliner, and just the slightest control shudder tells you you´re through the sound barrier, Mach 1, into effortless, supersonic flight. As you scream through the atmosphere at 1500 km/h you´ll learn a new perspective on fear and awe as one of the elite few who´ve witnessed the edge of space during inverted flight, and seen the curvature of the earth from the stratosphere. Descend, almost to sea level, looping, turning and rolling along the coastline, the ocean below you just a blur, until you touch down enervated, transformed, and exhilarated.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 18.54663280629893,-33.91427338751638,0 Table Mountain Abseil Adventure Cape Town´s most iconic landmark, Table Mountain, promises iconic adventure, so take control of your fears and step off the edge, 1000 feet above sea level, into unbounded vertical space on the world´s highest commercial abseil.

No Hands! Credit: © Abseil Africa

Tandem Abseil Credit: © Abseil Africa

Your anxieties float away, replaced by pure elation as you rappel above the clouds, absorbing the awesome views of the Mother City and far beyond; you control the 112m descent so heighten the rush and rap jump down like a mountain goat, or slide smoothly, and feel the thrill of being at one with nature on this extraordinary mountain. Hike up the spectacularly scenic Plattekloof gorge, emerging at the highest point on the mountain, or take a ride to the summit in the revolving cableway, marvelling at the thrilling 360° sights around and below you. ]]> ]]> ]]> #Adventure 18.4076498648727,-33.95467995724037,0 Mossel Bay Skydive Adventure Anticipation mounts as your plane ascends over the bay, with spectacular aerial views of Mossel Bay´s beautiful beaches, Outeniqua Mountains and in season whales. Early morning and sunset, the air is likely to be calmer, and the exquisite colours of the skyline will blow you away. Surrounded by fantastical cloud-scapes, your nerves are jangling, but it´s time: leave your fears in the plane and jump!

Blue Skies! Credit: © Henk van Wyk

Tandem Jump Credit: © Henk van Wyk

You´ll be rewarded with the indescribable thrill of freefalling from 10 000 ft, at speeds of between 200 - 290 km/h, and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean coastline. Skydiving fundi´s take the plunge on their own, but newcomers can tandem jump, and experience the rush of body surfing the wind; once your parachute opens, elect to glide gently to earth, or squeeze every last drop of adrenalin out this adventure, as your instructor takes you though controlled spins and stalls that´ll have your pulse racing until your feet touch the ground.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 22.14020874612918,-34.1804806306134,0 Simonstown Sea Adventure Simonstown is an idyllic coastal village on the Cape Coast, rich in maritime history, and adventure. At Boulders Beach is South Africa´s only ´suburban´ African penguin colony, so hire a sea kayak and paddle up-close to these delightful two-toned sea birds, and from May to September, there´s excellent chances of whale sightings. Go kloofing, power boating, deep sea fishing or scuba dive mysterious kelp forests, an underwater cave, or wreck dive; but out to sea, around Duiker Island, is one of the world´s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Magnificent Predator Credit: © Chris Fallows www.apexpredators.com

Great White Breach Credit: © Chris Fallows www.apexpredators.com

Around a rocky outcrop that some 60 000 Cape Fur Seals call home, a magnificent predator seeks out the silhouettes of young Cape fur seals on the surface of the waves. Launching a stealth attack, at close to 40 km/h, some of the biggest Great White sharks in our waters, catapult to the surface, breaching fully out of the water, jaws agape, attempting to snatch a meal in mid-air - in 7/10th of a second, you´ve just witnessed the greatest shark spectacle on earth! You owe it to yourself to be there at least once in a lifetime.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 18.43349075559235,-34.19080280844987,0 Hout Bay Dungeons Adventure This isn´t surfing- it´s an ocean battleground, and that wave´s not a super tube- it´s a liquid apocalypse, waiting to happen at Dungeons on Sentinel Reef, Hout Bay in the Western Cape. The build-up is monumental - days spent tracking it by satellite, watching shifting weather patterns, and if the storm swell makes landfall, you´ve the makings of a Big Wave, a 7 storey (21 m), rolling mass of wind-born energy that grows exponentially stronger, travelling at 30 - 50 knots, as it malevolently curls up over itself and detonates, spilling the heart of the ocean´s power.

Dungeons, Hout Bay, Cape Town Credit: © Grant Ellis / Red Bull Photo files

Ross Clarke-Jones Credit: © Lance Slabbert / Red Bull Photo files

Just offshore, 24 invite-only, professional Big Wave surfers are standing by, anticipating the most death-defying ride of their lives; it´s touch-and-go because conditions have to be perfect before the Red Bull Big Wave Africa event can take place, and surfer´s are allowed to ´charge´ down the monster wave face. Sea-dogs venture out in 5m swells on charter launches, while land-lubbers crowd the shore to watch the giants of the surf world duel the biggest rideable waves on the African coastline.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 18.33301598792953,-34.08784926032215,0 Suicide Gorge Adventure Warning! Kloofing (the local equivalent of canyoning) can lead to extreme exhilaration. When adventure-junkies want to let loose they head for Suicide Gorge in Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Grabouw, in the Western Cape. Kloofing involves getting yourself down a river gorge that´s usually fast-flowing; but with too little water for kayaking. Even though you´re constrained by the sides of the gorge (so it´s hard to get lost), there´s no path, so choose your obstacles and have an blast - boulder - hop, paddle, swim, climb, butt-slide, scramble and leap like a lemming, and remember everything gets wet.

Cliff Leap: © CapeXtreme

Canyoning © CapeXtreme

This crazy, but beautiful gorge lives up to its name by providing several huge cliff jumps, 3 - 15 m high, into deep, icy pools below; some are compulsory and some are just for the sheer insane fun of it! Wade tributaries, slither beside waterfalls, dodge potholes, clamber up rock faces for a better view or just to stop at a perfect pool for a 3-hour lunch break and absorb the breathtaking scenery.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 19.04944038534281,-34.15386923347614,0 Bloukrans Bungee Adventure It´s like looking through a microscope the ground is such a long way down. The specially designed bridge suspended below the roads´ surface makes you feel like you´re walking the plank, even though you´re strapped securely into a full body harness. You´re roughly 70 storeys high, waiting at the apex of the world´s highest single span concrete arch bridge, about to dive off head first!

Bloukrans Bridge Credit: © Face Adrenalin

No Fear Credit: © Face Adrenalin

Welcome to the world´s highest commercial bungee jump - at Bloukrans Bridge, near Storms River, Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape - 216 m of pure flat-line adrenalin. The instructor counts down, and then you swallow and dive, screaming, into oblivion, rocketing from 0 - 190 km/h in around 6 seconds. Pendulum bungee technology ensures the smoothest, most comfortable jump possible; and 100% safety record means you get to do it all over again. What are you waiting for? Go Bungee!

]]> ]]> #Adventure 23.64566735430051,-33.96379675747274,0 Drakensberg Tropical Ice Adventure It´s more than the freezing temperatures that´ll send chills down your spine - go on the ultimate ice-capade and climb a frozen waterfall in the tropics! On the Southern edge of the Giants Castle Massif, in the Makaza region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg lies a frozen 300m high ice-gully that cascades down in near vertical 20-40m ice walls, with your name on it. Offering the best water-ice climbing (water-ice routes form as a result of summer streams and seepages icing up) because it remains frozen from late May until at least late August, Giants Castle´s ice cascades promise epic mountain thrills that are safe from avalanches (there´s no heavy winter snow falls) so you´ll score an exhilarating combination of water-ice ascents along with breathtaking winter scenery.

Giants Castle, winter Credit: © Gareth Frost

Bivvying Credit: © Gareth Frost

This astonishing cold play´s for experienced climbers only - it´s a Grade III WI4 route, meaning it´s a minor expedition requiring a few days round trip; but in return you´ll experience camping or bivvying at high altitude in a remote mountain wilderness and spend your days negotiating spectacular icicles, exciting cracks, cauliflowers and bulges on the frozen ice-faces; along with multi-pitch, sustained climbing with panoramic views across the gorge. ]]> ]]> ]]> #Adventure 29.46102575391962,-29.19255529504302,0 Wild Coast Horse Adventure The untamed Wild Coast promises a rare riding holiday with challenging cross-country riding, scenes of rural African village life, wildlife viewing on nearby game farms and welcoming coastal hospitality stops along the way. Gallop across miles of stunning beaches, with no-one else in sight; and revel in adventure-filled out-rides across sheer grassy hillsides, warm lagoons and exhilarating rivers, including a Kei River crossing on a pontoon.

Wild Coast Scenery Credit: © Wild Coast Horse Trails

Wild Coast Horse Trails Credit: © Wild Coast Horse Trails

Ride for a week, a day, even an afternoon; trace sheer cliff paths for endless ocean views, with whale and dolphin sightings along the way; pause for ship wrecks and ancient shell middens, evidence that the earliest San people once gathered molluscs for sustenance here. Trot through sleepy coastal hamlets, cool off in secluded bays - your horse too, if need be; and call in at one of the gaily-painted villages for some home-brewed beer and a local culture encounter; before surrendering to the relaxed atmosphere and comforting cuisine of the family-run hotels along this stretch of unspoilt coastline. ]]> ]]> ]]> #Adventure 28.31052672594409,-32.70330836318806,0 Hartbeespoort High Adventure Get high on adventure in Hartbeespoort - it´s packed with activities from effortless to extreme. Hartbeespoort Dam´s a great water sports destination, so get those endorphins flowing with para-sailing, windsurfing, water and jet skiing, and for those who love heights paraglide, hang-glide, microlight, take a heli-flip or climb aboard a hot air balloon and glide over the Magaliesberg Mountains, one of the oldest ranges in the world - at dawn, glass of champagne in hand.

Quad biking: © A Campbell

Flying through the air, Magaliesberg: © Magaliesberg Canopy Tours

Be entertained by a pelican, seal, penguin and crocodile display at the aquarium, have a wild animal encounter at the nearby De Wildt Cheetah Centre, or spend the night in an elephant sanctuary; and pump-up that adrenalin rush by whizzing through the tree tops of Ysterkloof Gorge, suspended 30m in the air, on a forest canopy tour. Mountain bike, horse ride or quad bike the surrounding hillsides; and, why not go abseiling, rock climbing, kloofing (canyoning) or white water rafting? After all, Hartbeespoort has it all... ]]> ]]> ]]> #Adventure 28.09999915411456,-24.50000127447273,0 Swinging Graskop Adventure The Lowveld is full of adventure highs and Graskops´ gorge swing rates up there with the best of them. Teetering on a tiny platform, with only a cable and a fellow adrenalin-junkie for company (if you go tandem) prepare to freefall 68 m, plummeting 0 - 160km/h in 3 seconds, swinging out like a human pendulum across the gorge - the views are spectacular and so is the after-rush. Get a double buzz, and zip slide (a zip line is a high speed pulley that uses gravity to accelerate along a steel cable) it too, the locals call it ´foefie sliding´ and it´s a ´hang-on-for-dear-life´ ride down a high wire suspended 80 m high, and 130 m across the gorge.

Big swing! Credit: © BigSwing

Ready to let go Credit: © BigSwing

´Fly´ at breakneck speed, wind screaming in your ears; a high octane burst of elation and an eye-full of the magnificent Graskop Falls are your reward.

]]> ]]> #Adventure 30.84049888986506,-24.93370041574896,0 Aliwal Shoal Shark Adventure Cage dives too tame for you? Then go for the ´live shark soup´ down there at Aliwal Shoal, off the KwaZulu-Natal south coast - one of a few places in the world where you can observe tiger sharks in their natural habitat. May to April is prime viewing time for a world-rated shark dive experience. Lured by the scent (there´s no feeding allowed) of fish oil or fish offal, lithe, ferocious tiger sharks, considered to be one of the most dangerous and difficult to find sharks in the world, appear in the water, along with their scavenging side-kicks, black-tip reef sharks, up to 50 at a time.

Observing Tiger sharks Credit: © Aliwal Shoal

Tiger Shark, close up Credit: © Aliwal Shoal

Breathe slow and shallow, no sudden movements, and ´shark jockey´s´ beware - you need to show respect to these 4 m long deep sea predators if you don´t want to end up being dinner. As they glide within inches of you, up to 8 sharks at a time, this incredible encounter´s for qualified, experienced scuba-junkies only, to watch in silent awe. Once they realise you´re less appetising than you look, they swim off, making way for dolphins, turtles, moray eels, potato bass, reef and pelagic fish, rays (devil, manta, bull, eagle) and more sharks - bull, guitar, sand sharks, and in summer masses of breeding ´raggies´ (ragged tooth sharks).

]]> ]]> #Adventure 30.77489690839892,-30.1771785103653,0 2010 FIFA World Cup 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Cape Town Come and experience the beautiful game in the world´s most beautiful city. Host city Cape Town has a fantastic cosmopolitan lifestyle, incredible scenic beauty, Table Mountain, gorgeous beaches, Robben Island, winelands, fine cuisine ... the list just goes on. Regularly voted one of the top 5 travel destinations world wide, the Mother Cities´ attractions range from laid-back (shopping and dining at the V & A Waterfront) and edgy (the world´s highest abseil off Table Mountain); to mellow (wine tasting in Stellenbosch) and grand (staying at the 5-star plus Mount Nelson Hotel); and friendly (a tour of Gugulethu or the Malay Quarter), to funky (Kloof Road for trendy eateries, shops and deli´s or jazz at the Green Dolphin) or fun (Two Oceans Aquarium or a sun-downer harbour cruise). With so much to do, don´t miss that semi-final at Green Point, Cape Town´s 2010 stadium! Home to 5 professional football clubs - Santos, Ajax Cape Town (Premier League) Vasco Da Gama, Fidentia Rangers, Western Province United (1 ^st Division); and with football legends like Shaun Bartlett, Benedict ´Benni´ McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and ex-Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz to its credit, Cape Town´s football pedigree is world-class.

Cape Town, Western Cape

Long Street, Cape Town

Between matches head east towards the South Africa´s coastal Eden, the Garden Route, for stunning golf courses, gourmet dining, beach-front luxury, adventure and unforgettable natural beauty; or make for the rustic West Coast for beaches, wild flowers (August to October) birdlife and crayfish straight from the sea; or stay around the city for fashionable shopping, whale watching, wine tasting, galleries, museums, flea markets and more. It´s going to be a beautiful world cup!

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 18.44580432167504,-33.97212857102237,0 Greenpoint Stadium A Cape Town seafront landmark, Green Point Stadium is getting a major rebuild ahead of hosting 8 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM matches, including a dazzling semi-final showdown. With Table Mountain behind it and the Atlantic Ocean rushing to applaud it, this has to be one of the most beautiful football stadium settings anywhere; and the suburb of Green Point is alternative lifestyle friendly too, so experience the world´s best football from a rose-tinted point of view.

New Greenpoint Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Football Supporters: © 2010 Media & Marketing

This place is party central, being close to Cape Town city centre, and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or head over the beachfront residence-dotted cliffs to the gorgeous beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay - either way, you won´t have far to go for the best pre and post match parties in town! And toast, more than just your teams success here, your visit is the impetus behind a multi-purpose sports complex, that´ll give the Mother City´s children a sporting chance to become tomorrow´s stars - now that´s worth celebrating.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 18.40936634396902,-33.90384549740089,0 Nelson Mandela Bay / Port Elizabeth The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ invites travellers to come to Port Elizabeth (in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro) for more reasons than world-class football. Known as the ´friendly city´, it´s the Eastern Cape gateway to the Garden Route, and surrounding attractions include the world-acclaimed malaria-free game reserves of Addo Elephant National Park and multi-award winning Shamwari Private Game Reserve; along with miles of South Africa´s most beautiful coastline and the world´s highest bungee jump. Some of our most influential leaders - Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Steve Biko are all sons of this province, so if you´re looking to explore the rainbow nation whilst enjoying the football there´s no better place. The Nelson Mandela Bay Multi-purpose Sports Facility will be Port Elizabeth´s first world-class sports stadium, and perhaps more exciting than the semi-final results that will happen here, are the long terms benefits for the citizens of this town - it´s a big step up for amateur clubs Bay United and Tambo Cosmos and their legions of fans.

Port Elizabeth Beachfront

Bayworld, Port Elizabeth

Life here revolves around the ocean, and nearby is South Africa´s surfing capital, Jeffreys Bay, so catch the Billabong Pro surfing competition in July, while football fans craving culture won´t want to miss the National Arts Festival in nearby Grahamstown in June. With 40 km of beaches, many of them awarded Blue Flag status, and a city that´s packed with history, adventure and dusk ´till dawn nightlife; water theme parks, museums, shopping, township tours, it´s the perfect place for a family soccer holiday of a lifetime.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 25.62131548059371,-33.9808764382084,0 Port Elizabeth Stadium Football mania in the laid-back Sunshine Coast city of Port Elizabeth (the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro) is set to soar as the city gets a new purpose built sports stadium. Port Elizabeth Stadium will form part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Multi-purpose Sports Facility and promises eagerly awaited sports opportunities to the local community. With it´s three-tier space-age design featuring two rings of skyboxes, easy highway access and seaside environs this is going to be a spectacular football stage when the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM curtain goes up on 3^rd and 4^th play-off matches.

Nelson Mandela Metro Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Nelson Mandela Metro Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

With its passion for football, activity-filled beaches, and 5-star safari attractions and close proximity to the scenic Garden Route you´ll get an unbeatable combination of beach, bush and football when you make Port Elizabeth your 2010 port of call.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 25.60900143741807,-33.96707397683466,0 Host City - Johannesburg Gauteng Province will play host to Africa´s greatest football show yet, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ South Africa from the 11th June - 11th July, and fittingly it starts and ends in Johannesburg, also known as ´Egoli´ - the ´City of Gold´, Jo'burg or Jozi. Africa´s wealthiest city and Gauteng´s financial powerhouse, Johannesburg typifies modern South Africa; its struggle histrory is legendary, all 11 official languages are spoken here and its residents from every coerner of the globe. It´s the home to host stadium Ellis Park, where South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup; and Premier League-based club Bidvest Wits, known as the ´Clever Boys´ because their home ground is Wits University. Visiting sports fans can catch cricket matches at Wanderers Stadium; bet at Turfontein Racecourse; and tee-off at one of many superb golf courses; or cheer boxing bouts at Emperor´s Palace or Carnival City in the east; and motor-heads get top-class motor sport action at Kyalami Race Track.

Johannesburg skyline at night

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

Close to Johannesburg, the township city of Soweto has been at the core of football development in South Africa since pre-apartheid days. National team Bafana Bafana (The Boys) and the South African Football Association´s (SAFA) head quarters are situated at host stadium, Soccer City (FNB Stadium). Two of the country´s most popular teams, Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates and football legends Lucas Radebe and Jomo Cosmos team boss, Jomo Somo all hail from here. ´Footie´ fans can stay in a 4-star hotel or a township B & B (the latter comes highly recommended), visit museums, street markets, spaza shops (informal trading stores) and the new Maponya Mall. Boxing and marathon running is extremely popular here; but a must-do in this football-crazy city, is lunch at a local shebeen (tavern) - the beer flows, the local specialities are delicious and the atmosphere around the game on screen is electric; and while you´re discovering this extraordinary township, feel free to join in an informal football match - everyone here speaks the language of the beautiful game.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 28.06233568564647,-26.13260448218432,0 Host City - Tshwane (Pretoria) Pretoria (also called Tshwane) may be the political and diplomatic hub of Gauteng province, but its well-heeled international community and thriving student population share a common passion for sports, so rugby, football and cricket are hugely popular. Seemingly sedate, with its historic buildings and museums during the daytime, its party atmosphere comes alive at night, so football supporters can live it up in the city's many bars, night clubs and music venues - go to Gerhard Moerdyk Street for pan-African cuisine and Afro-jazz vibes. Pretoria sports venues include 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host stadium Loftus Versfeld, home of the Vodacom Blue Bulls (Blou Bulle) rugby team; you'll know they're in town because the city´s signature mauve jacaranda trees compete with a sea of jubilant fans clad in blue.

Pretoria

The Union Buildings, Pretoria

Tshwane´s football heroes since the 1960´s are Mamelodi Sundowns - see them at their home ground, the H. M. Pitjie Stadium, taking on local contenders Supersport United and Pretoria United. Watch international and local cricket action at Supersport Park in Centurion, and no match is complete without South Africa's national snack, biltong (lean strips of beef, ostrich or venison meat cured with spices and air-dried), try it - you're sure to become a fan. There´s skydiving thrills at Wonderboom Airport, while in the nearby Magaliesberg, about 1 hour away, Pretoria´s sports adventurers go hang-gliding and paragliding. On the way to Bronkhorstspruit Dam for fishing and water sports, stop at the Chinese Nan Hua Temple complex for some good karma; while north in Dinokeng, there´s wildlife and eco-adventure sports aplenty.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 28.18803092004286,-25.74786000770981,0 Host City Polokwane Sports lover´s with a yen for an out-of the-ordinary 2010 World Cup South Africa ™ trip should make sure the host city of Polokwane is on their destination list. Meaning ´place of peace´, Limpopo´s capital city is a vibrant mix of VhaVenda and Shangaan culture, mountains and bushveld, including thrilling safari opportunities in the northern Kruger National Park. Football is high on the agenda here with the Premier League Black Leopards and 1st division Winner´s Park teams maintaining local football excitement, along with rivals City Pillars. Half the fun of attending matches in another country is learning their lingo, so find a local watering hole and start broadening your South African football vocabulary - you don´t want to be the only one in the Peter Mokaba stadium not yelling "LADUMA!" when your hero scores a goal.

Polokwane

White Rhino, Kapama Game Reserve, Limpopo

Besides visiting the city´s historic buildings, art galleries and the Arend Dieperink cultural museum, plan to stay a while before or after the matches and discover the heritage of this province - there´s Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, the site of an ancient African kingdom; Makapan´s Valley where hominids roamed 3,5 million years ago, and the village of Modjadji, home of the Rain Queen; along with sacred lakes and forests, huge baobab trees; and, don´t miss out on Venda art keepsakes - especially clay pots and wood sculptures - the artists and craftspeople here are world-renowned.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 29.44964733815149,-23.89153642287951,0 Host City - Mbombela (Nelspruit) The host city of Nelspruit is getting a new football stadium and very likely, a new name: Mbombela. It´s the capital city of Mpumalanga, a thriving lowveld metropolis, and the gateway to major attractions like Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. Sports fans should make a list of all the adventure sports they´ve been longing to try because Nelspruit´s scenic surrounds offer them all - at South African rand prices! Being chosen as a 2010 host city is sure to ignite the local football scene, so by the time you arrive - look out for a host of talented newcomers to rival its most famous footballer, fullback David Nyathi; besides the talents of the nearby Witbank Stars football club.

Elephant Herd, Kruger National Park

God´s Window, Mpumalanga

Heighten your big match adrenalin with a hair-raising cable swing across Graskop Gorge - a 68-metre freefall; while the Blyde River Canyon on the Panorama Route provides some of the most awesome hang-gliding and paragliding in South Africa, and aviator´s shouldn´t miss a flip over the world´s third largest canyon. Go mountain boarding, quad biking, abseiling and kloofing (canyoning); or rest yourself before the match with some tranquil fly fishing - Mpumalanga´s highlands are a Mecca for this genteel sport. Find a local sports bar and settle in for a rowdy afternoon of locally brewed beer, spicy Portuguese cuisine (just across the border is Mozambique´s capital Maputo), or a venison potjie (stew) and big screen football highlights; and, this is a great sport and safari destination, so go on a game drive or play a round of golf with the local wildlife keeping score.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 30.98601939342527,-25.46415661041716,0 Host City Durban The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is the perfect opportunity for beach-loving football fanatics to visit Durban for its beach-inspired lifestyle, urban vibes and fascinating cultural mix. Locally it´s known as Durbs, Surf City or "eThekwini" (which means sea in Zulu). Even in winter, when 2010 is on the go, Durban is sunny and warm (temperatures in the mid-20C°) so you won´t run out of fun things to do, including visits to mountains, top game reserves, Zulu cultural villages, or country craft meanders. The city´s passion for football is reflected its teams - AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Durban Stars and Nathi Lions; and kids here grow up dreaming about international football stardom - striker Siyabonga "Bhele" Nomvethe is a child of KwaMashu township who´s reached the top, so know that when you´re on your feet cheering your side in the Moses Mabhida host stadium, tomorrow´s football stars are right beside you.

Durban Beachfront

Durban Yacht Basin at night

Durban loves a good time anytime, so head for Florida Road and turn up the heat with a famous Durban curry, or burn up the dance floor in a nightclub; while uShaka Marine World offers shopping, restaurants, and marine, animal and water-theme park thrills for the whole family. It's all happening in Durban in July, so check out the fillies (2 legs or 4) at the Durban July, for eye-popping fashions and photo-finish racing; or the Durban Beach Africa Festival promising entertainment, surfing, beach football and volleyball fun; or if you're fit and tough, take part in the gruelling Comrades Marathon; and don´t miss the kilometre long shoals of sardines

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 31.02686782233087,-29.85354713095099,0 Peter Mokaba Stadium Follow in the footsteps of the late Peter Mokaba, political activist from Polokwane, Limpopo during apartheid, who was renowned for his fighting spirit and inspirational leadership and get to the Peter Mokaba Stadium to watch the giants of the international football world duel with their feet for the ultimate football prize: the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM.

Current Polokwane Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

New Polokwane Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

With the largest number of registered players in South Africa, this province´s passion for the beautiful game will be rewarded with a major improvements to the existing stadium, like 46 000 FIFA approved bucket seats, a new roof that covers the entire western stand. And, a new electronic scoreboard, flood lights, sound system, and fire detection and protection system means you can get on with what you came to do - support your team, experience world-class football and have the time of your life! Football fanatics - let Limpopo lead the way.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 29.46274973522026,-23.91821734101941,0 Coca Cola Park Around since 1927, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host stadium Ellis Park is a grand old lady with a brand new image. Rebuilt in the early 1980’s it has been recently been renamed Coca Cola Park, but its old title lingers fondly in the minds of Jo’burg Sports fans. The Stadium is undergoing a R2-billion rand face-lift, including increased seating capacity to around 61 000, and improvements to disabled, VIP, player and spectator facilities; security and parking when it plays host to 5 first-round matches, a 2nd round match and one of the quarter-finals in 2010. It’s a sports headline grabbing venue - think exciting 1995 Rugby World Cup Final - a famous win that our national football team Bafana Bafana (The Boys) are itching to imitate. Located in cosmopolitan New Doornfontein it’s the home ground of Premier Soccer League teams Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs, along with the Golden Lions Rugby Union; and international teams Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal have thrilled football fans here too. With refurbishments mirroring its sister stadium, Soccer City, football lovers can look forward to railway access between Doornfontein and Ellis Park, and a new 20 metre-wide subway at the Ellis Park Station at a cost of over R26-million; so sports lovers should expect a world-class event, and a whole lot of downtown Johannesburg charm - this area of the city, also due for an upgrade, boasts Victorian mansions from the early Gold Rush days and some of the best Portuguese restaurants in town; and close by is Eastgate shopping centre, and Bruma flea-market, so come early - there’s plenty of great stuff to keep sports fans busy before and after the game.

Ellis Park Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Ellis Park Surrounding Area Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Located in cosmopolitan New Doornfontein it's the home ground of Premier Soccer League teams Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs, along with the Golden Lions Rugby Union; and international teams Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal have thrilled football fans here too. With refurbishments mirroring its sister stadium, Soccer City, football lovers can look forward to railway access between Doornfontein and Ellis Park, and a new 20 metre-wide subway at the Ellis Park Station at a cost of over R26-million; so sports lovers should expect a world-class event, and a whole lot of downtown Johannesburg charm - this area of the city, also due for an upgrade, boasts Victorian mansions from the early Gold Rush days and some of the best Portuguese restaurants in town; and close by is Eastgate shopping centre, and Bruma flea-market, so come early - there's plenty of great stuff to keep sports fans busy before and after the game.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 28.06068445950879,-26.19785444333307,0 Host City - Mangaung / Bloemfontein Bloemfontein( part of the Mangaung municipality) which means ´Place of the Cheetahs´ in SeSotho, has the laid-back, friendly vibe of a country town. It´s the Free State provinces´ 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host city, and is famous for its sandstone buildings, history, roses and being completely mad about sport; so football-loving travellers can expect to find kindred spirits and old-fashioned hospitality in this countryside capital. Sunny most of the year, Bloemfontein´s clear skies encourage cycling, quad biking, fishing and having a braai (barbecue) anywhere near water. Get together with locals fans and watch Premier League football stars Bloemfontein Celtics take on 1st Divison opponents the Free State Stars in a friendly, and, afterwards try out hearty portions of steak, grilled lamb or boereworsfarmers´ sausage at a local restaurant. Sports bars are big in Bloemfontein so if you didn´t make it into the Vodacom Park host stadium, join the crowd at the bar and get behind your team.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Bloemfontein

Unwind after a nail-biting second round match, with a visit to Golden Gate Highlands National Park, where, if you´ve the energy after all the pre- and post-match partying, you can hike, mountain bike or horse ride through one of South Africa´s most scenic places. For a quintessential ´Bloem´ experience, visit a Basotho cultural village; learn to sokkie (South Africa´s energetic adaptation of a waltz); play some jukskei (a traditional throwing game of skill involving wooden sticks and batons) and most of all have a jol (fun) - it´s what Maungang´s all about.

]]> ]]> ]]> #Soccer 26.21568227793463,-29.12080377674742,0 Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban) South Africa´s first official non-racial football organisation, South African Football Association (SAFA) started in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host city Durban, making it the perfect venue to reinforce football solidarity as it welcomes the 2010 FIFA World Cup.™ The year of 2009 will see the existing King´s Park stadium transform into a world-class football venue with a gross capacity of 70,000 seats. A fitting reminder of this city´s commitment to building footballing bridges are 2 huge archways, stretching 100 m high across the Durban Stadium roof.

New Mbombela Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

New Mbombela Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

>From anywhere in the new 3-tiered stadium, Durban´s tropical football fever is contagious, so be here to cheer on your favourite teams, in 5 fabulous first round, 1 scintillating second round match, or a sensational semi-final. Viva Durban Football Fever!

]]> ]]> #Soccer 31.03087546194331,-29.8279264453823,0 Mbombela Stadium Mpumalanga means ´place where the sun rises´ in SiSwati, and Mbombela Stadium, in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host city of Nelspruit (soon to be renamed to Mbombela) will witness the dawning of a new eara of football in this province. The stadium´s a stone´s throw away from the action of Nelspruit city center and the convenience of the Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport.

New Mbombela Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

God´s Window, Mpumalanga

With a capacity of 46 000 seats this stadium is anything but small (Mbombela meaning "many people together in a small space"); and its surrounds are the perfect place to go game-spotting between games - so catch 4 first round matches and get a true taste of this lowveld wilderness, that´s wild about football.

]]> http://ts.realtourvision.com/tour/SC/tour.view.new.php?utl=SC-9120-58VMY9-01 Rustenburg http://ts.realtourvision.com/tour/SC/tour.view.new.php?utl=SC-2461-DV8WDB-01 Mafikeng ]]> #Soccer 30.98248750531561,-25.39796269313406,0 Loftus Versfeld Stadium Since the very beginning of the process that will bring the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM to South Africa, the emphasis has been on making it an African event, and Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng is pulling out all the stops to do just that. From farmers to foreign ambassadors and students to socialites this city´s cosmopolitan crowd is crazy about football - so come prepared for the match of your life - you´ll sing along to your national anthem accompanied by a brand new sound system, and all new floodlights and scoreboards mean you´ll catch every exhilarating match moment.

Loftus Versveld Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Pretoria

Besides hosting the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, it´s home to Premier Soccer League powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns - who´ve won the League for three years in a row (1998 - 2000); and it´s venue for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 - so the passion for football in this city just keeps growing; egged on by thousands of football fans who´ll be flocking to this world-class facility to have a ball.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 28.22297755766133,-25.75279910498223,0 Soccer City Stadium President Thabo Mkebi is quoted as saying "We want to ensure that one day, historians will reflect upon the 2010 World Cup as a moment when Africa stood tall... We want to show that Africa's time has come." And come it has, because Soccer City Stadium at Nasrec in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host city Soweto will blow your socks off! From the geometric football-shaped dome of South African Football Association (SAFA) House, and the upgrade to the existing stadium that will resemble a calabash , to the mind-blowing opening ceremony, this sports complex is all about the spectacle of football, South African style. And fans here are loud and proud - you'll know our team is in the final by the banging of dustbin lids, blaring car hooters and fog-horn vuvusela (plastic trumpets) blasts that reverberate around the township until dawn.

Current Soccer City Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

New Soccer City Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

The stadium is being upgraded to the tune of R1.5 bn, with 94 700 seats available to football-mad supporters and it´s on track for completion in October 2009. As well as the final, capacity crowds can watch 5 first-round matches, one 2nd round match, and a quarter-final here too; and fans at home won´t miss a second of the action thanks to the 2010 International Broadcasting Centre next door that´ll ensure billions of viewers worldwide get uninterrupted coverage of the World Cup through satellite and fibre optic transmissions. Football Matsatsantsa (smart people) know that this is the place to be in 2010 so make sure you're here!

]]> ]]> #Soccer 27.98139933840595,-26.23482225557277,0 Vodacom Park Stadium The Vodacom Park Stadium, in South Africa´s Free State heartland of Maungang (Bloemfontein) forms part of Vodacom Park a collection of international standard sports facilities including an athletics stadium, artificial turf hockey stadium, the Goodyear Park cricket ground and tennis facilities. Following major renovation ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM, a second tier is being added to the western pavilion increasing the stadium´s gross capacity from approximately 38,000 to around 48 000 seats; fully lending itself to the inspirations behind South Africa´s preparations for 2010 - that being to leave a legacy for the people of the African continent.

Vodacom Park Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

Bloemfontein

It´s an old hand at hosting international football, from famous European clubs like Newcastle United (England) and Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) to a group pool of Africa´s fiercest football warriors - Zambia, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso - during the 1996 African Cup of Nations; and it´s a venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, so with local teams Bloemfontein Celtic (Premier League) and Free State Stars´ (1st Division) appetites for fast-paced international football action already whet, you know the 5 first round and 1 second round matches played here will be electrifying.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 26.2089078287995,-29.11726074626841,0 Royal Bafokeng Stadium Opened in 1999 Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, North West province requires just a few tweaks - a new electronic scoreboard, upgraded floodlights and a new sound system - to declare it fit and fabulous to welcome the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The stadium is entirely funded by the Bafokeng community that presides over the North West province platinum mines - some of the richest in the world; and this multi-purpose facility includes an athletics track.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium Credit:2010 Marketing and Media

The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City

So run and buy your tickets, there´s only 40 000 up for grabs, you don´t want to miss the start of 2010 World Cup action - 5 first round and 1 second round matches are set to take place here.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 27.16068487050173,-25.57854766115884,0 Host City - Rustenburg The North West´s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ host city, Rustenburg is the ideal stepping stone to the fantastic attractions of the "Heritage" province. Explore casinos, entertainment complexes, cultural villages and game reserves, all geared up to delight football fans from around the globe. Rustenburg is rustig (restful), so offset first round match excitement with leisurely visits to discover historical attractions, heritage landmarks and scenic splendour. And don´t just come for the games at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium go and meet the Bafokeng people after whom it´s named, they're a shining example of cultural restitution, and their way of life is fascinating.

Ndebele man

The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City

So run and buy your tickets, there´s only 40 000 up for grabs, you don´t want to miss the start of 2010 World Cup action - 5 first round and 1 second round matches are set to take place here.

]]> ]]> #Soccer 27.24890858973132,-25.65997625518939,0 Routes 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Namakwa Flower Route Explosions of wildflowers enliven the sun-baked, arid spaces of the Namakwa Flower Route. Starkly beautiful, the |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park sets the tone for a journey through unforgettable landscapes. A World Heritage Site, the plants and humans are as unique as the fragile eco-system they inhabit. At Alexander Bay, tour an alluvial diamond mine, experience the nomadic culture of the Nama at Lekkersing, before dining on seafood delicacies in Port Nolloth. Follow the coast or head inland to Springbok, for wildflowers and the Namakwa 4X4 Route.

Nomadic Nama herders

Calvinia

Granite formations enclose Kamieskroon, where the Namaqua National Park is a sanctuary for incredibly diverse flora. Stop for flowers and home-style hospitality in Garies, before discovering Niewoudtsville Botanical Garden with its astonishing variety of protected bulb-species, intriguing Quiver tree forest and million year-old landscapes. Photograph the flower-carpeted countryside and Hantam Karoo houses of Calvinia, and the Southern African Astronomical Observatory scans brilliant night skies in chilly Sutherland.

]]> #Routes 17.56646817285495,-28.87788222878768,0 ]]> ]]> Wine Routes A popular way of discovering the joys of South Africa´s award-winning wines is on a day trip from Cape Town - either self-drive or on tour. Devotees of the grape, however, can spend several days out here, as there are 16 wine routes to explore, but Stellenbosch is regarded by many as the Wine Route capital. Explore this historic university town before meandering through the fertile Drakenstein Valley, with 180 wine estates, fruit orchards, roadside farm stalls and world-class health spas.

Stellenbosch

Franschoek

Follow twisting mountain passes before descending into Franschhoek, home to one third of South Africa´s award-winning chefs, and over 30 wineries. Or track along the northern side of the valley, beside the Berg River through to Paarl, renowned for its brandy.

]]> #Routes 18.85860000000004,-33.9322,0 ]]> ]]> Garden Route Lush with evergreen vegetation, beaches, rivers, lakes and tourist-friendly towns, South Africa´s Garden Route is a region of extraordinary natural beauty. Begin at Witsand, South Africa´s whale nursery on the southern Cape coast, then detour for a thrilling bungy jump or bridge-swing off the Gouritz Bridge, before sampling the salty charm of Mossel Bay with its rich naval lore, working harbour and ocean-fresh seafood. Board the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a steam train ride with dramatic mountain scenery and breath-taking seascapes en-route to George.

Plettenberg Bay

Knysna Heads

>From the nature-lover´s retreat of Sedgefield, head for the holiday paradise of Knysna known for its wild oysters, ancient forests and protected waterways, before heading to Plettenberg Bay, with its luxury beach-front homes, boutique hotels and beautiful beaches. End your journey in Tsitsikamma, a mystical landscape where animal sanctuaries, hiking trails, nature reserves and extreme sports adventures abound - try the world´s highest bungy jump - a heart-stopping 216m plunge off the Bloukrantz Bridge.

]]> #Routes 20.85675231022948,-34.44023756986717,0 ]]> ]]> Battlefields Route For a self-drive route filled with historic clashes, drama-filled battle sites, and small town hospitality set against the scenic backdrop of rural Kwazulu-Natal, the Battlefields Route is not-to-be-missed. Begin in the steel town of Newcastle to visit the sites of Majuba, Schuinshoogte and Laing´s Nek, and pause for crafts, fishing, birding or golf; while the nearby town of Utrecht boasts numerous historical buildings and monuments. In and around Vryheid there are historic churches, museums, monuments and forts, and the fateful site that marks the battle of Blood River. Here, tour the Ncome Museum, for an alternative viewpoint of this renowned conflict, and see displays of Zulu and SeSotho culture. Surrounded by mountain peaks, the hamlet of Dundee is your next stop for the legendary battle sites of Isandlwana and Rourke´s Drift; then detour a short way to the Farmers Brauhaus microbrewery for a pint of hand-crafted ale, before travelling through Glencoe down to Ladysmith, site of the famous 118-day blockade to visit the Siege Museum.

Blood River Monument

Fort Dunford

Next, on to Colenso, on the banks of the Thukela River, with its monuments, memorials and Clouston Garden of Remembrance; while in Estcourt visit battle sites, monuments and nature reserves or fish, canoe and white water raft on the Bushman�s River. Weenan, the second oldest town in KwaZulu-Natal, has a Voortrekker museum, a biosphere nature reserve and exceptional Zulu handicrafts. Timber plantations, lakes and hot springs surround colonial Greytown, with its historic museum, forts, graves and churches. End your battlefields tour on a high note at Kranskop, a fusilier lookout during the Anglo-Zulu war. Known to locals as Ntunjambili, this sandstone rock-tower rises 800m above the Thukela Valley with views of the ocean to the east, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg to the west, and birds of prey wheeling above.

]]> #Routes 29.82250000000004,-28.73400000000001,0 ]]> ]]> Inanda Heritage Route In the township of Inanda, north of Durban, trace the parallel histories of political activists, John Dube and Mahatma Ghandi. The educational Ohlange Institute, founded by Reverend John Langalibalele Dube, the first President-General of the African National Congress, incorporates his house and grave. It´s also where President Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa´s first democratic elections in 1994. The Inanda Seminary, one of the oldest African private schools for girls, has produced many Black women leaders.

Experience township life

KwaMashu Township

In nearby Phoenix, lawyer and human rights activist, Mohatma Gandhi established the Gandhi Institute where he developed his philosophy of passive resistance, Satyagraha. At Ebuhleni, is the church started by the prophet Isaiah Shembe, with two million members, it´s the largest Shembe church in the province. A guided tour of KwaMashu settlement is a fascinating introduction to life in a modern African community and the best way to meet and socialize with the locals. ]]> #Routes 30.93343253568141,-29.68407348572825,0 ]]> Midlands Meander However you approach the picturesque Midlands region, the gentle pace of this meander is sure to inspire your inner creativity. With over 160 venues to experience, each stop along the way invites you to discover galleries, craft studios, eateries with delicious locally sourced produce, breweries, pubs galore, country-style hospitality and more. There are cultural villages, community projects and, to revitalize you, world-class health and wellness spas.

Enjoy delicious Midlands produce

Visit traditional Zulu villages

Renowned for gentler pursuits, adventure enthusiasts can nonetheless hike, horse ride, fish, bike, ride in a hot air balloon or explore nearby San rock art sites. Straddling the N3 from Pietermartizburg to Mooi River, its surrounds are just as magical, with options to explore the many nature reserves, dams, waterfalls and the imposing Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg.

]]> #Routes 30.38358344810619,-29.59891085493796,0 ]]> Gauteng Struggle Route Soweto is the heart of the Gauteng Struggle Route, and site of the Soweto Uprising in 1976. Here you´ll find the Hector Peterson Memorial and Museum, Regina Mundi Church, Nelson Mandela´s home (now a museum) and Freedom Square at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Kliptown. Nearby witness the haunting exhibits of the Apartheid Museum, before touring the harrowing men´s and women´s prisons at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein. See the exhibits at MuseuMAfrica, in Newtown, and the Mohatma Gandhi Memorial in downtown Johannesburg. Visit a memorial commemorating passive resistance at the Hamida Mosque in Fordsburg before heading north to Alexandra township outside Sandton and Liliesleaf, the historic farm in Rivonia where leading ANC activists were arrested in the 1960s. South of Gauteng a monument honours the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, gunned-down while protesting against the oppressive Pass Laws.

Hector Peterson Memorial, Soweto: © Patrick Hopkins

Constitution Hill: © Constitution Hill

]]> #Routes 27.87122726125985,-26.27488561965371,0 ]]> ]]> Maloti Route The Maloti Route starts in Harrismith, with fishing and water sports at the Sterkfontein Dam, and runs through the Free State into the Eastern Cape. Pass through the town of Ladybrand, with its erstwhile cave church, San rock art and heritage museum. With the Maloti Mountain Range on the Lesotho border constantly in sight, the route is scenic, enhanced by awe-inspiring, mountainous beauty, diverse cultures, and attractions ranging from art, culture and history to adventure sports.

Maloti Mountains

Sterkfontein Dam, Harrismith

Visit the farming community of Hobhouse, named after Emily Hobhouse, the human rights activist of the Anglo-Boer War; and the Caledon Nature Reserve outside Wepener. In Zastron, there´s trout fishing, battle sites, hiking, well-preserved San rock art sites and caves, a Cape Vulture colony and an extraordinary 9m diameter hole - in one of the cliffs of the Aasvoëlberg.

]]> #Routes 29.12394658782203,-28.26133127468031,0 ]]> ]]> Panorama Route From beginning to end, the Panorama Route is breathtaking. In Sabie, waterfalls abound along hiking trails through indigenous forests, and you´re close to the Big 5 - elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo - with Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve on Hazyview´s doorstep; horse ride, river raft, visit a Shangaan cultural village, and shop for curios. Graskop is the ideal base to begin exploring the Blyde River Canyon - it´s the third largest in the world and the biggest green canyon!

Blyde River Canyon

God's Window

Picnic in the Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve, see the geologically fascinating Bourke´s Luck Potholes, and there´s an adrenalin-pumping gorge swing. Pilgrim´s Rest is a national monument and living museum depicting the bygone days of the gold rush era. If you´ve time, visit the Echo Cave in nearby Ohrigstad. The highlight though, is the canyon. From various look-out points be awed by the natural splendour of God´s Window, Three Rondavels and Pinnacle Rock.

]]> #Routes 30.77860000000003,-25.0911,0 ]]> ]]> African Ivory Route Arching 3.6 million hectares across Limpopo, and encompassing 54 nature reserves, and 5 mountain ranges, the African Ivory Route was made for off-beat adventure. Private wildlife and nature conservancies make up the eco-tourism haven of the Waterberg Savannah Biosphere. Nearby are the therapeutic hot springs of Bela-Bela; in Modimole there´s the Nylsvlei Nature Reserve, and in Vaalwater an informative rhino museum. Polokwane, is the economic hub of Limpopo; futher north is rustic Haenertsburg, and the Makapan´s Valley caves are an archaeological fossil trove.

Waterberg Sanctuary

King cheetah at Kapama, Hoedspruit

Abutting the northern Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon is the Valley of the Olifants. Five-star eco-safari lodges concentrate around Hoedspruit, while a subtropical mystique permeates Tzaneen and Modjadjikloof. North is the mystical land of the Venda. At Thohoyando there´s the Dzata Ruins, Lake Fundudzi and sacred Thathe Vondo forest, all steeped in legend. Mapungubwe National Park is a World Heritage Site, providing evidence of a sophisticated iron-age African civilisation.

]]> #Routes 28.802035876451,-24.99298029715912,0 ]]> ]]> Karoo Heartland Route Set off from Port Elizabeth, heading for historic Somerset East, then to the oak tree-lined town of Cradock with its restorative mineral spa, before seeking out herds of Cape mountain zebra in the deep valleys and scrubby plains of the Mountain Zebra National Park. During a stop-over in Middelburg, absorb majestic mountain scenery from atop the Sneeuberg plateau, enjoy farm hospitality and succulent Karoo lamb; then travel south west to Nieu Bethesda, best-known for eccentric artist Helen Martins´ fantasy Owl House.

Valley of Desolation

Graaff-Reinet, main street

Continue on to gracious Graaff-Reinet, home to over 300 historical monuments then explore the awesome scenic beauty of the Camdeboo National Park, with its million year-old landscapes and precarious towering pillars of rock in the Valley of Desolation. Wind down through the farming towns of Willowmore and Steytlerville, and visit the nearby Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve for hiking, mountain biking and miles of pristine wilderness.

]]> #Routes 25.58989947606729,-32.71880009498644,0 ]]> ]]> Sandstone Route Explore the eastern Free State, starting in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, with its brilliantly coloured sandstone rock formations, golden-hued mountain vistas, hiking and horse trails, caves, dinosaur footprints and varied wildlife. Nearby, explore the heights of Qwa Qwa National Park, and visit a traditional Basotho cultural village; before hiking to the Sentinel, for spectacular views of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Fouriesburg

Go to Clarens, for Free State creativity at its best, including art galleries, chic eateries and quaint accommodation. At Fouriesburg, tackle the Brandwater Hiking Trail - the longest walking trail in the country, and view the largest sandstone overhang in the Southern Hemisphere Salpeterkrans (saltpeter cliff). At Ficksburg, South Africa´s largest cherry farm, stock up on gourmet delights, and in Cloclan support community weaving projects.

]]> #Routes 28.61916666666668,-28.52133333333335,0 ]]> ]]> Roaring Kalahari Route Call in at Kuruman, with its raptor rehabilitation centre, and perpetual spring delivering 20 million litres of water daily. Play Kathu´s spectacular golf course, then take in typical Kalahari landscapes northwards through Dibeng, Hotazel, Black Rock up to McCarthy´s Rest on the Botswana border, and back to Van Zylsrus. From Askham, detour northwest up to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a 3.7 million hectare haven for wildlife enthusiasts, extreme sports junkies, and nature lovers.

Augrabies Falls National Park

Witsand Nature Reserve

Return southwards to the Augrabies Falls National Park, with its thundering falls and lunar landscapes, then east across to Upington beside the Gariep (Orange) river, centre of the Green Kalahari, to white water raft and visit a winery there. Follow through to Grobbelaarshoop, then on to Witsand Nature Reserve, where 60m high white sand dunes ´roar´ when the wind blows. In Griquatown, Postmasburg and Danielskuil, see natural sink holes, an 800 000 year-old cave, and San rock art sites; before choosing to travel into the North West Province, or exit the Northern Cape via the fascinating diamond city of Kimberley.

]]> #Routes 23.43400000000003,-27.4635,0 ]]> ]]> Valley of the Olifants Route Where the northernmost lowveld stretches away from Mpumalanga, the Valley of the Olifants begins. At Bushbuckridge, nibble a Mopane worm and other traditional eats when visiting the Shangaan cultural village; at Hoedspruit, a premier eco-tourism destination, stay in some of the world´s finest private game lodges, visit a research centre for endangered species, and king cheetahs at Kapama Lodge. Enter the northern Kruger National Park via Phalaborwa, or take a flip in a microlight - the proceeds help to prevent poaching; abseil, quadbike or play golf at the top-rated Hans Merensky Country Club.

Cultural Village in Limpopo

Boabab tree

Subtropical Tzaneen, in the Letaba valley boasts dams, fruit, tree and tea plantations, fabulous gardens, and the magical realm of Magoebaskloof. Hike through afromontane forests or relax with a picnic and absorb the views; then wander amongst primeval cycads in the Modjadji Cycad Reserve before enjoying a sundowner inside one of Limpopo´s largest Baobab trees, at Sunland.

]]> #Routes 31.07030001466598,-24.84011986823107,0 ]]> ]]> Crocodile Ramble The easily accessible Crocodile Ramble lets you dictate the route. At its centre lies the World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind. Begin with a tour of the Sterkfontein Caves, celebrated for two palaeontological finds of universal significance, Mrs Ples and Little Foot, then go to the fascinating state-of-the-art Maropeng visitors centre. Plunge 40m beneath the Cradle, to explore the Wonder Cave, then meet some formidable predators at the Rhino and Lion Park.

Hartbeespoort Dam

Hot air ballooning

Visit the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, famous for its Verreaux (Black) eagles. In the surrounding countryside discover artists´ studios, country restaurants, galleries, nurseries, road side curios, cultural villages, wellness spas, and fine hotels. Around Hartbeespoort Dam adventure sports rule - sail, take a sundowner cruise or waterski, and horse ride, hot air balloon, play golf, microlight, quadbike, 4X4, get lost in a maize maze or take a dawn ride on an African elephant into the misty hills of the Magaliesberg.

]]> #Routes 27.62757701097763,-25.92830977882012,0 ]]> ]]> Nature 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Cango Cave Cathedral The Cango Caves, near Oudtshoorn, are the longest underground cave sequence in the world, a humid, subterranean fantasyland of stone vaults and cavern cathedrals, iced with intricate dripstone formations and crystalline limestone chandeliers to make you gasp! Long before a herder named Van Zyl, ´stumbled´ upon this remarkable geological phenomenon, the ancient San sheltered here; and, over time, the caves have unfolded their 100 million year- old mysteries, to delight visitors today with thrilling guided tours.

Bothas Hall Cango Caves Credit and Copyright: Cango Caves

Cave Adventure in Cango Caves Credit and Copyright: Cango Caves

Less agile visitors use easily accessible stairs and walkways to discover innumerable, glittering stalagmites (upward growing) stalactites (hanging crystals) and helictite (multi-directional) formations in well-lit cave halls; while adventurers wriggle, squeeze and inverse leopard crawl their way up skinny gorges, cracks and down rock funnels like Devil´s Chimney - claustrophobics should take the scenic tour. The caves are one of South Africa´s most-visited tourist attractions - +/- 750 000 nature enthusiasts a year can´t be wrong.

]]> #Nature 22.17429352402089,-33.59995658169221,0 ]]> Natural Namakwa Namakwaland reaches from the Northern Cape shoreline of the Namibian border to the northern extremes of the Western Cape coast. Most of this landscape comprises succulent Karoo vegetation, a plant species with thick, fleshy leaves that are uniquely adapted to survive arid, low rainfall conditions; so nearly the whole region is a global biodiversity hot spot, one of only 25 in the world, and less than 2% is under conservation, making it the most threatened. Of the plants species found here (1109), 286 are endemic, and 107 are Red Data List species, and making it an area of international importance in terms of conservation.

Namakwa Wild Flowers

´Halfmens´ (half human)

At Namakwaland´s heart lies Namakwa National Park, a photographer´s paradise, with the Skilpad (tortoise) Wild Flower Reserve as its showpiece. This park is best-loved in spring, when precious rainfall causes the arid, semi-desert plains to erupt into a colourful carpet wildflowers, and it´s possible to see shy bat-eared foxes, inquisitive meerkats, and ´barking´ geckos. Travel to Goegap Nature Reserve for 600 different indigenous plant species, 45 mammal species and 94 bird species; and visit the Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden for quiver trees, halfmens bome (half human trees) and other floral rarities; and don´t miss Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, for challenging hiking and several rare bird species.

]]> #Nature 18.16961842680369,-30.13411889131109,0 ]]> ]]> Cederberg Conservancy Discover 162 000 hectares of rugged, mountainous terrain, stretching from the Pakhuis Pass in the north to Grootrivier in the south, when you visit the Cederberg wilderness. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient San and Khoi to the Stadsaal Caves in the Koue Bokkeveld, on the rock art trail, where some sites date back around 8000 years. The area is a celebrated hiking and climbing destination, loved for its solitude and mountain beauty that´s rich with endemic plant life including fynbos, the rooibos tea plant, threatened Clanwilliam Cedar trees and the rare Snow Protea, found only along the snow line of the Sneeuberg.

Cederberg

Wolfberg Arch

Mountain bike it´s rocky paths or tackle a challenging 4x4 trail and if you´re fortunate you´ll see the rare Cape Leopard and other reserve inhabitants like porcupine, aardvark and Cape fox, along with 100 species of bird. Unforgettable though, are the fantastical rock formations this park boasts - Wolfberg Cracks, Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross - natures own sculpture garden on a grand scale.

]]> #Nature 19.13244866072484,-32.33323428045006,0 ]]> ]]> Augrabies Falls National Park Taking its name from the San word for ´tawny´, the !Gariep (Orange) River carves a 15 km gorge through Augrabies Falls National Park, before thundering 56 m into a maelstrom of spray and rainbows at the waterfall; surrounded by an extensive walkway and viewing platforms, you´ll get an eye-full (and a little wet) of the liquid power of South Africa´s longest river.

Augrabie Falls National Park Credit: © SANparks

Tourist Accomodation Credit: © SANparks

The scenery is awe-inspiring - Moon Rock, Arrow Point and Echo Corner; and the wildlife´s unusual too, so look out for klipspringers atop stony outcrops, and rock hyraxes sunbathing around the waterfall. There are lesser predators like African wild cat, rooikat (caracal), black backed jackal, and, occasionally leopard. Prolific bird life rewards with rare sightings of pygmy falcons, black storks and Verreaux (black) eagle´s breed in the park; while hikes allow you to make the most of this extraordinary lunar wilderness.

]]> #Nature 20.23741743832798,-28.558408669507,0 ]]> ]]> Table Mountain National Park Situated at the south-western tip of Africa, Table Mountain National Park stretches scenically from Signal Hill in the north, encompassing the Table Mountain chain, to Cape Point in the south, across a crooked finger of land known as the Cape Peninsula. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and False Bay eastwards, 2 world-renowned landmarks are within its boundaries - Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. South Africa´s only urban national park, it contains 7 nature reserves and safeguards the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site, which extends from the slopes of Table Mountain, including Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, through coastal shrubland and 40 km of coastline.

Table Mountain

Fynbos

Comparatively minute in size, just 22 000 hectares, the Cape Floral Kingdom, the earth´s smallest floral kingdom, packs an astonishing botanical punch. Home to 20% of the African continent´s flora, this global diversity hot spot has the highest density, diversity and endemism of plant species on the planet; blessing South Africa with the 3rd highest level of biodiversity in the world; and it´s home to endemic marine, vertebrate, bird and reptile species, including the world´s only marine-diet adapted baboon population.

]]> #Nature 18.40597616879552,-33.97086619548449,0 ]]>Virtual Tours ]]> Sunshine Coast South Africa´s +/- 2 500 km coastline has some of the world´s most beautiful beaches, sweeping from the frigid waters of the Northern Cape, round Cape Agulhas where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, up the warm east coast to tropical northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Water sports

Kings Beach, sunset

A growing number of our beaches meet the highest standards of environmental coastal management and conservation, and have been awarded Blue Flag status; so the Sunshine Coast (Nelson Mandela Bay), with its incredible variety of coastal regions, and 5 Blue Flag beaches, Wells Estate, Dolphin, Kelly´s, Kings and Humewood beach, draws thousands of holiday-makers, families, sun-worshippers, water-sports junkies and nature-lovers each year to its activity-filled shores. Along its 1000 km of sunny coastline, go surfing at world-renowned Jeffreys Bay; and Port Elizabeth´s Hobie Beach is the spot to been seen, so try out all kinds of water sports; Sardina Bay is a marine reserve, while its´ southern beaches are great for swimming, and up north, go fishing or stroll along the tide line.

]]> #Nature 25.6023443004442,-33.90626367582343,0 ]]> ]]> Wilderness National Park An eco-tourism haven, set against forested mountains, the marsh flats of Wilderness National Park are awash with lakes and wetlands, where you can see Cape clawless otters and small antelope; in the Langvlei and Rondevlei bird sanctuaries prolific birdlife thrives; see the elusive emerald green Knysna turaco (loerie), on your boardwalk stroll. View Southern right whales from Dolphin point in spring.

Wilderness Lagoon

Paragliding, Wilderness

Unwind on secluded beaches and explore the marine-rich tidal pools and coves that line its 8 km shore; 6 ´lakes´ offer excellent swimming, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing; and paragliders get high on stunning coastline views. Picnic beside 800 year giant trees at Woodville; or at Touws River, hire a canoe - the best way to experience this saline wonderland.

]]> #Nature 22.61738266552896,-33.98475805539765,0 ]]> ]]> Knysna National Lake Area With the imposing Knysna Heads as its sentinels, the Knysna National Lake Area is a liquid maze of lagoons, salt marshes, reed beds and protected inlets, shielding the rare estuarine Knysna seahorse; and wild oyster nurseries in its unpolluted waters - sample these delicacies at the Knysna Oyster Company. Catch the John Benn ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve, and go on the 2.5 km guided Bushbuck trail through its protected scrub forest, or ride the 4x4 trailer to the top for breathtaking sea views.

Aerial view of Knysna

Knysna Heads

Spend a day picnicking in Knysna´s indigenous coastal forest belt, beneath protected hardwood timbers; while at Diepwalle, the last refuge of the Knysna elephants, marvel at the huge King Edward VII yellowwood, 625 years old with a trunk height of 39 m; or hike one of two trails - the circular 18 km Elephant Walk, lush with forest undergrowth; or the Outeniqua Hiking Trail, 150 km, over the mountains to George. Visit Knysna Elephant Park; and self-drive the twisting roads of Prince Alfred´s pass for the best forest vistas; then stop at Noetzie, for its beach and whimsical castle homes; before strolling through the luxuriant Garden of Eden.

]]> #Nature 23.1261939579111,-34.05882287029142,0 ]]> ]]> Tsitsikamma National Park Known as ´the place of clear water´, Tsitsikamma National Park protects fragile marine reefs and tidal pools ; and vigilant nature lovers will find rich rewards, from mammoth Humpback whales to tiny dark-footed forest shrews in this lush, forested park. Tsitsikamma lives up to its name of the Eden of the Garden Route, boasting 49 species of mammal and a wide variety of shoreline and forest birds, avi-tourists, in particular, should head for Nature´s Valley .

Tsitsikamma National Park

Cape Clawless Otter Credit: © SANParks

Track cool, mossy streams through rain forests filled with ferns and protected Outeniqua yellow-wood trees in search of blue duikers, Knysna turacos (loerie), the elusive narina trogon, African Crowned Eagles and African Wood Owls. Snorkel its fascinating inter-tidal reefs crowded with fish , perhaps with a Cape clawless otter for company; and watch schools of dolphins and porpoises from the steep cliffs; or follow its unspoiled shoreline from the Storms River mouth, seeing endangered Black African Oystercatchers on the strenuous Otter Trail ; and 4x4 vehicles discover the secrets of mountainous Soetkraal, deep in Tsitsikamma´s spectacular wilds .

]]> #Nature 23.91813321255469,-34.00056439779959,0 ]]> ]]> Golden Gate Highlands At the foothills of the Maluti-Drakensberg lies Golden Gate Highlands National Park , a spectacle of towering sandstone cliffs that turn gold, rose and russet-hued in the early morning or late afternoon sunlight. In this breathtaking landscape, explore deep shady valleys; and orange and mauve dappled grasslands where you´ll come across red hot pokers (aloes), wild lilies and watsonias on self-guided walking trails. See black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbuck and Burchell´s zebra on a drive through the park; and stop at the vulture restaurant, to look for rare bearded vultures circling above.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park Credit: SANParks

Rare bearded vulture

Hike up the Brandwag Buttress for glorious views, or head for Ribokkop, the highest point in the park; and go on a guided walk to Cathedral Cave, where a stream plunges 30m through the domed cave ceiling - out of season only, so as not to disturb the breeding colony of bald ibis roosting there. View numerous rock art sites and discover traces of fossilised dinosaur bones and footprints - the first ever fossilized Triassic dinosaur eggs were found in the park in 1973. Horse ride, mountain bike or just escape to Highlands Mountain Retreat, with its eco-log cabins built snugly into the mountain side, where panoramic views blend with this parks´ magnificent stillness.

]]> #Nature 28.92755028888729,-28.51051654927489,0 ]]> uKhahlamba-Drakensberg For mountain grandeur nothing beats the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, the largest, longest (1 000 km) and highest mountain range (many peaks are over 3000 m) in South Africa; and forms the backbone of the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area between the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa. It´s a Ramsar site, a World Heritage Site and contains the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara - some 600 known sites.

Camping

Chain ladder

Rich in biodiversity, 2 153 plant, 299 bird, 48 mammal and reptile species reside here including eland - sacred the San hunter gatherers - endangered Cape and bearded vultures. Hike its gorges; climb its peaks and frozen waterfalls; fly over its majestic amphitheatre; hang glide its sheer cliffs; kloof its ravines (same as canyoning) - views this awesome are unequalled anywhere. The country´s three biggest rivers converge in a mountain wilderness of raptors, waterfalls and breathtaking vistas, that´s snow-capped in winter and lusciously green in summer.

]]> #Nature 29.56126031754229,-29.42119853276502,0 ]]> ]]> Camdeboo National Park Surrounded by precariously balanced dolerite pillars, rising to heights of 120 m, know that you´re standing in God´s quarry: Camdeboo National Park. With the plain of the Great Karoo as its backdrop, prehistoric fossils littering the valley floor, tell of a landscape formed hundreds of millions of years ago; along with artefacts as evidence of long standing stone age occupation; even Khoisan hunter-herders have left their mark in this astonishing place - visit their painted rock shelters in the east of the park.

Valley of Desolation landscape Credit and Copyright: SANParks

Cape mountain zebra

See a rich biodiversity of birds (220), plants (336) and mammals (43) here including bat-eared fox; suricate (meerkat), kudu, grey duiker, red hartebeest, springbuck, and for birders ostriches, pale chanting goshawks, speckled mouse birds and brown hooded kingfishers. Amid magnificent carpets of spring flowers, visitors describe the uncanny stillness and bizarre rock formations of the Valley of Desolation as an experience that verges on spiritual, so gather your travel companions and overnight in this sub-desert mountain wilderness at the Waaihoek Trail Hut.

]]> #Nature 24.51968200000004,-32.2699485,0 ]]> ]]> Blyde River Canyon Go on a geological joyride to the Blyde River Canyon. Follow the famed Panorama Route beginning with a photo-stop at the impressive Berlin Falls, tumbling 80 m into a clear pool below surrounded by ferns and wildflowers; and keep an eye out for some fine river swimming spots as you proceed on your way. The road swoops down between forested valleys then ascends, twisting into the clouds to bring you to God´s Window with its panoramic views of the Lowveld escarpment; then tear yourself away, and head for the Lisbon Falls - where its spectacular twin cascades beg for a leisurely picnic beside them, before photographing the Pinnacle, a needle-sharp rock rising into the air on your way to visit Driekop Gorge.

Swimming, Blyde River canyon

God´s Window

Or, you could head north, from Vaalhoek, to the confluence of the Blyde River where 1000´s of years of water erosion have scoured out the surreal Bourke´s Luck Potholes, and, nearby is the Blyde River Gorge, so stop at each of the view sites to appreciate the 600 - 800 m high sandstones cliffs and thundering waters of this natural wonder. Encounter the curiously familiar rock formations of the Three Rondavels, with their red sandstone walls and forested green ´roofs´; then refresh yourself at the Blydepoort Holiday Resort before hiking, horse riding or walking to the tranquil Blyde River Dam. Blyde means joy - make this your own joyous journey.

]]> #Nature 30.79550557819614,-24.57149824396531,0 ]]> ]]> Maputaland For the best of bush, beach and natural splendour, nature-lovers head for Maputaland, an eco-gem in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. Bounded by the Lebombo Mountains, Indian Ocean and Thukela River, it´s also a Peace Park, forming part of the Lebombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area between Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa. Covering 7000 km of primal wilderness it´s a region of striking biodiversity and endemism, where the last naturally occurring elephant populations migrate freely across borders. It contains several large wetlands, 5 Ramsar sites and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, including Lake St. Lucia, the largest estuary in Africa, and Lake Sibaya, South Africa´s longest and deepest freshwater lake, both plentiful with wildlife.

Scuba Diving, Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay, world-rated dive site

World-renowned game reserves include Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, uMukuze, Ithala, Nduomo and Tembe Elephant Park, all providing outstanding safari opportunities. Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, together with St Lucia Marine Reserve and Sodwana Bay National Park, a scuba diving hot spot and 15 km ocean protectorate offshore, rate among the world´s most beautiful water wildernesses; with whales, dolphins whale sharks, turtles and miles of white beaches for snorkelling, swimming, fishing, sun bathing and dune climbing.

]]> #Nature 31.99925352766819,-27.60649515959167,0 ]]> ]]> Wild Coast North of East London, lies the Wild Coast, the ´last frontier´ of the Eastern Cape´s extraordinary Sunshine Coast. It´s moody, wild seascape, with semi-tropical vegetation nudging right up to the sand; and huge, grassy cliff tops, laced with rugged footpaths, that lead you to whale and dolphin sightings, rural villages and waterfalls; before winding you down to it´s jagged shoreline to swim, snorkel coves and bays, and deep sea fish off rocky promontories. Come here for the spectacular scenery, accessible on foot, horse back and for the really determined, mountain bike.

Windsurfing, Hole-in-the-Wall

Mazeppa Bay

Ocean and wind-weathered rock formations like Hole-in-the Wall and Cathedral Rock rise out of the sea to astonish you; and a full day hike to Waterfall Bluff reveals a cascade of fresh water plummeting into the sea - no wonder it´s South Africa´s premier portered hiking destination. Communities here benefit, directly or indirectly, from ecological and community based tourism, and have a compelling motivation to protect this pristine environment, making it the ideal holiday for responsible nature lovers seeking a low impact dream holiday.

]]> #Nature 29.78406018770638,-31.26393531375609,0 ]]> ]]> Safari 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround West Coast Safari Absorb the attractions of the West Coast National Park at a gentle pace; laid-back safari-goers relish the many self-drive options this coastal treasure trove at the southern edge of Namakwaland presents. Langebaan tidal lagoon´s a major highlight: biologically it´s the ´richest stretch of water in South Africa´, visited annually by 60 000 birds, with around 200 species to delight bird-lovers at any time. Huge temporary populations include 50 000 curlew sandpipers and flamingos; take a boat trip to see colonies of cormorants and gannets and, in season, whales offshore along with migratory arctic seabirds.

Cape gannets

Pelicans and cormorants

Go on a hiking trail - the reserve´s filled with springbuck, eland, kudu and endemic bontebok; and stop off at the Geelbek Education Centre or the West Coast Fossil Park, to see intriguing remains of extinct bears, sabre-tooth cats and prehistoric sharks. Springtime produces a safari of a different kind - flowers; lose yourself for hours, days even, in the Postberg Nature Reserve, camera in hand, as you wonder in amazement at multi-coloured wild flower displays as far as the eye can see.

]]> #Safari 17.93748410456967,-32.96656303708436,0 ]]> ]]> Meerkat Magic Safari South Africa´s most endearing wildlife celebrities, meerkats have taken the nature-loving world by storm, so go on a safari that will have you smiling for weeks! Located near Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, is a universally unique conservation project, and it´s here that you can get up-close, within a few metres of their burrow, to a group of extraordinary meerkats or suricates - the only wild community known to exist outside the Kalahari. Tours are done strictly on an ´observe and conserve´ basis, with very limited numbers permitted to visit at a time, so the troupe, who migrate in search of food constantly, are never interfered with or disturbed.

Meerkats Credit and Copyright: Grant Mcllrath

Ostrich

It´s best to seek out these highly social, fiercely territorial and endlessly entertaining creatures at sunrise or dusk; and aside from getting all the meerkat low-down, you´ll learn about the other Shy 5 members - porcupine, antbear (aardvark), bat-eared fox, and aardwolf. From here visit an Ostrich ranch, and be fascinated all over again, this time by a remarkable flightless bird, or drop in at one of the nearby animal rehabilitation centres for a wildlife encounter you´ll never forget.

]]> #Safari 22.12683077780997,-33.5057787075183,0 ]]> Kgalagadi Safari Self-drive safari lovers and 4 X 4 enthusiasts should head for the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. On your sojourn discover solitude, photogenic landscapes and extraordinary wildlife like cheetah, black-maned Kalahari lions, gemsbok, springbuck and the desert-adapted elephants of the Kaokoveld.

Cheetah

Blue Wildebeest

This is true wilderness and most accommodation´s park-managed, self-catering and comfortably rustic; but if you have a need for luxury, one of the country´s finest safari lodges, where the wildlife documentary Meerkat Manor was filmed - is here too, so watch out for these furry idols on your travels. Birding enthusiasts´ eyes sparkle on the Diamond Birding Route; fly over shifting ochre and white sand dunes in a microlight, view game on horseback and watch the desert come to life, sitting on a blanket beneath a phosphorescent moon.

]]> #Safari 20.28592982138852,-26.51295999590579,0 ]]> ]]> Gansbaai Safaris Gaansbaai, a quaint fishing village, off the Western Cape coast, offers safaris of a different sort, starting with a shark cage-diving experience in a stretch of water called ´Shark Alley´. From May through October, adventurous nature lovers can view Great White sharks feeding from the safety of the deck. Too tame? Then don some scuba gear and descend beneath the waves with nothing but a cage between you and these awesome ocean predators. Not the horn of a whale crier, but the barking of the local dogs, heralds the arrival of the Southern right whales in the bay from June to November, when the sounds of their breaching; tail slapping and mating is heard for miles.

Mountain fynbos: © Gansbaai Tourism

Great White breaching: © Gansbaai Tourism

Head for the rocky cliffs of De Kelders for outstanding land-based whale sightings, and explore the caverns and caves below; take a boat-based whale watching trip, and don´t miss the 50 000 Cape fur seals, penguins and myriad seabirds that breed on Dyer Island. Go on a winter wild flower and fynbos safari at the foot of the Perdeberg Mountains, or explore the area on a quad bike.

]]> #Safari 19.3706935477898,-34.56787650796299,0 ]]> Madikwe Safari Madikwe Game Reserve is a premier game park lauded the world over for its people-based approach to sustainable land management through wildlife conservation. It´s also the site of the largest transfer of game ever to have taken place, 8200 animals covering 27 species over 7 years, were introduced during Operation Phoenix; and now plans are afoot to link Madikwe and Pilanesberg reserves into a Heritage Park mega-conservation corridor. Accommodation´s aimed at the upper end of the market, and day visits are only possible through the reserve - so come here to lie back and let the luxurious, community-managed lodges fulfil your safari fantasies.

Night drive

Male Lion

It´s a Big 5 destination where you can see elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino all year round, so a dawn or sunset game drive is a must, and look out for endangered wild dog, cheetah and rare antelope. Fly in, it´s an incredible way to appreciate the landscape or explore rich archaeological sites; accompany a local ranger on a bush hike, and spend time beside the Marico river, or a water hole watching an unequalled theatre of wild creatures parade before you.

]]> #Safari 26.58414024067561,-25.30037120930692,0 ]]> ]]> Pilanesberg Safari African majesty and the Big 5, rhino, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, await just a stone´s throw from Johannesburg, in the magical malaria-free bushveld of the Pilanesberg National Park. Set in the crater of an extinct volcano, 7000 animals thrive here thanks to Operation Genesis, an ambitious conservation programme that reintroduced long-vanished game. On your own self-drive safari see an exciting variety of animals including endangered, threatened species, and those not often spotted like caracal, black-backed jackal and Cape clawless otters, or go on a night drive with a ranger and spot fearsome predators and nocturnal brown hyena by torchlight.

Cheetahs

Hot air balloon

Hunker down in a bird hide and visit the indigenous aviary at Manyane, tuck into a bush picnic beside Mankwe dam, and follow a self-guided wilderness trail. Scenic landscapes provide a setting to suit you, from camping to exclusive safari lodges, and, nearby Sun City Entertainment Complex adds sparkle to this accessible wilderness. Visit the De Wildt Cheetah Centre to see these high-speed cats up close; and view the bush as never before on a hot air balloon safari.

]]> #Safari 27.08839944821052,-25.2442393191131,0 ]]> ]]> Kruger Safari Kruger National Park is a world-acclaimed safari tour destination and part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe - the world´s greatest animal kingdom. Game viewing´s best in winter (May to September) with mild temperatures and little rainfall; while in early spring (August to October) courtship duels, newborns and prolific birdlife can be seen. There are rewarding self-drive routes to every corner of the park and twice-daily game drives from most camps, along with 7 guided wilderness trails, mountain biking and 4x4 routes from selected camps.

Viewing buffalo on a game drive.

Olifants Hiking Trail, Kruger National Park

Stay in a park-managed camp or one of the many luxury safari lodges on private game reserve concessions inside the reserve. Besides the Big 5, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, see endangered African wild dogs; go on a bush walk - if you´re lucky you´ll meet the Little 5, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver, ant lion, elephant shrew and rhinoceros beetle - or camp out in the bush; even be a ranger for a day, and discover the secrets of bush craft, animal tracking and game capture.

]]> #Safari 31.23324119697742,-25.51176059252266,0 ]]> ]]> Elephant Coast Safari KwaZulu-Natal´s Elephant Coast is a superb spot to go on safari, with world-renowned game reserves like Hluhluwe-Umfolozi; Tembe Elephant Park, uMkuze Game Reserve and more. A water safari´s an unusual way to see zebra, giraffe, lion, buffalo, and whales visit this eco-sensitive coast in season.

Elephant Herd

Water Safari, Credit and Copyright: Falaza Game Reserve

Discover feathered gems on the regions two birding routes, and explore a Peace Park that´s a natural corridor for the wild elephants of Maputaland; or track white and endangered black rhino with a local Zulu tracker - a fifth of the world´s rhino population lives here; a wealth of lakes and wetlands equals plentiful waterfowl, hippo and crocodile; stop for sundowners beside Lake Sibaya, or hike through indigenous palm forests at Kosi Bay, where palm nut vultures and fish eagles shelter, and the locals´ ingenious fish ´kraals´ (traps) will amaze you.

]]> #Safari 31.9086342025672,-27.44234947110534,0 ]]> ]]> Addo Elephant National Park Safari Rugged and extraordinarily beautiful, the Addo Elephant National Park is a stunning safari escape, and a Big 7 destination, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo, lion, whales and great white sharks. Its shoreline is a marine park that boasts the country´s largest breeding population of Cape gannets, and second biggest African penguin colony. Acknowledged as the place to see elephants - around 450 of them - it´s impossible not be awe-struck by these mammoth beasts, from the towering bulls to the flappy-eared, playful youngsters. Be enthralled on a game drive through the park´s wildlife-rich valleys, self-drive or hire a local guide. Addo caters for special needs visitors too on the PPC Discovery trail.

Elephants

Blue Crane

Accommodation options range from family chalets to secluded luxury tents; hike the Alexandria eco trail, where you may glimpse a rare ´woolly´ tree hyrax on your 2-day trek. Bird watchers should opt for the less strenuous Tree Dassie trail; whilst horse lovers canter amongst plains game on a horseback safari, and adventurers go off-road on a 4x4 trail in search of rock art, battle sites and exciting river crossings.

]]> #Safari 25.85762532576472,-33.62594968290356,0 ]]> ]]> Sabi Sand Safari International safari connoisseurs rate Sabi Sand Game Reserve and its multi-award-winning safari lodges as a must-see wildlife destination. Unfenced and adjoining southern Kruger National Park, game migrates freely, so you´re guaranteed unforgettable sightings, whether on a game drive with a dedicated game ranger or reclining on a deck with uninterrupted views above the Sabi River. Get close to the Big 5 lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino and vulnerable species like cheetah, while local Shangaan trackers provide fascinating insight into traditional bush lore.

Lions, Sabi Sand Game Reserve Credit and Copyright: Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Earth Lodge Credit and Copyright: Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Indulge in an outdoor bush spa or gourmet dining by torchlight beneath the stars - it´s all part of the ultimate 5-star safari experience in the most luxurious surroundings. Committed to holistic conservation, Sabi Sand Game Reserve strives to balance biodiversity and wildlife while empowering local communities through employment, training and shareholding; and guests can elect to contribute to ensuring a legacy that´s socially and ecologically sustainable long after their dream safari has ended.

]]> #Safari 31.3807189432393,-24.75813841271259,0 ]]> ]]> Mountain Zebra Safari In 1936, there were only 6 Cape mountain zebra left in the world; today you can see more than 350 of this subspecies, saved from extinction, in the Cape Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. On a self-drive safari through this craggy-peaked wilderness you´ll see Cape buffalo, endangered black rhino, eland, endemic black wildebeest, caracal - the only predator here, and red hartebeest, gemsbok, mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the high plateaus.

Cape mountain zebras

Caracal

Even non-birders will thrill to the sight of endangered blue cranes, Stanley´s and Ludwig´s bustard´s, rare Verreaux´s (Black) eagles, Martial eagles, ostrich, and secretary birds in this mountain habitat. Guided night and early morning game drives and short nature walks are possible, go on the overnight Impofu hiking trail, where there are San cave paintings or simply pick a spot with the most awesome views to enjoy a picnic.

]]> #Safari 25.70442450155895,-32.1208716796399,0 ]]> ]]> Timbavati Safari Sharing a common border with Greater Kruger National Park, the Timbavati is classic safari territory, so expect authentic wildlife encounters in pristine bushveld and superlative game lodges epitomising colonial hospitality and rustic elegance. Accommodations blend harmoniously with nature, from luxury safari tents and elegant tree lodges to open-air sleep-out platforms, fitted with every comfort imaginable, yet scarcely discernable in the bush. Here, untouched nature begs closer inspection on a walking safari, or a game capture adventure where guests get hands-on conservation action.

Game drive Credit and Copyright: Thornybush Game Reserve

Boma Dinner Credit and Copyright: Thornybush Game Reserve

Take time out from spotting the Big 5, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant and world-class birding to support the animal conservation centres in the area. At the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre see uncommon king cheetahs, African wild cats, wild dogs and rare blue cranes, and learn the heart-warming story of Camp Jabulani´s elephants before they take you on a thrilling elephant ride. Help sustain Moholoholo´s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, a non-profit sanctuary that rehabilitates injured and abandoned animals, and breeds threatened servals and Cape vultures; before you bogey between the game on the greens of the Hans Merensky Golf Estate.

]]> #Safari 31.42016006967687,-24.35750677885004,0 ]]> ]]> Marakele Safari Its Setswana name implies a ´place of sanctuary´, so hire a 4x4 and go on a self- drive safari in the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, a natural wonderland. Situated between the dry west and moist east of South Africa, Marakele National Park boasts an unusual mix of bird and animal life; meander into the mountains, up to the ´towers´, for a bird´s eye view of the world's largest breeding colony of endangered Cape vultures riding the thermals above the Waterberg massif.

Wild dogs and buffalo

Hyenas

See the Big 5, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant and lion, in a landscape dotted with ancient cycads, tree ferns and rare yellowwood trees; and have your camera at the ready for cheetah, brown hyena and red data species like wild dog and roan and sable antelope. Seek out seldom seen reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe; and be sure to enquire about guided game drives, bush walks and bird watching hides.

]]> #Safari 27.60743291281429,-24.58403309434241,0 ]]> ]]> Waterberg Safari The malaria-free, scenic Waterberg´s a rare wildlife haven. A protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, its 4 mountain ranges form a spectacular backdrop to the first-class game reserves of Welgevonden, Entabeni and Lapalala Wilderness. From stylish thatch and wood lodges, to secluded bush hide-aways, it´s possible to afford a truly luxurious safari experience in this ecotourism Eden, where the welfare of the environment, wildlife and community remain at the forefront.

Black rhino with calf

Sable antelope

Find the Big 5 - rhino, elephant, leopard, buffalo and lion at Marakele National Park; or be pampered with indigenous ingredients during an African spa experience. Go on a hunting safari, visit intriguing rock-art sites, seek out over 300 species of birds in the reserve then head for nearby Nylsvlei wetlands, a Ramsar site and bird watcher´s paradise; or combine awesome game viewing and guided bush walks with a visit to Africa´s only Rhino Museum.

]]> #Safari 28.20853722718486,-24.73532840385058,0 ]]> ]]> Sodwana Marine Reserve Safari Unspoilt beaches and legendary diving experiences benchmark Sodwana Bay Marine Reserve as a marine safari not to be missed. Rated one of the world´s top dive sites, scuba fanatics flock here to explore teeming coral reefs, and see graceful rays, eels, dolphins and exquisite coral gardens. Excellent visibility makes this an underwater photographer´s paradise; and in summer see masses of female ragged-tooth sharks at Raggies reef.

Dolphins, Kwazulu-Natal

Leatherback turtle

Humpback and Southern right whales visit from May to November; snorkel the protected Adlams reef; go catch and release fishing for game fish; or charter a boat and scan the tropical waters for gigantic whale sharks. At night, from November to January, 750kg Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the same beaches that they emerged from as hatchlings, so go on a community-guided tour and witness this spectacle first-hand.

]]> #Safari 32.65627257543314,-27.52537152055118,0 ]]> Heritage & Culture 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Kleinplasie Living Museum ]]>

Kleinplasie Living Museum, located in the Breede River Valley in Worcester, Western Cape is an open-air cultural and historical exhibit where visitors can experience the lifestyle of a bygone pastoral era. Each building represents a particular agricultural sector in the Western Cape during the period between 1690 and 1900, and a variety of home industries and agricultural practices are demonstrated to the public in and around these buildings, using the same methods and equipment employed by the early farmers. The staff dress in period costume, so you´ll truly feel like you´re in another epoch, and activities such as bread baking are on show daily along with candle making, milking and tobacco rolling.

Bread baking, Kleinplasie, Worcester

Early morning, Kleinplasie

Visitors can watch skilled blacksmiths, cart wrights, cheese makers and see how witblitz (a potent traditional form of alcohol) is distilled. Seasonally it is possible to watch grape harvesting, sheep shearing, and medicinal veld plants being collected. Train and donkey cart rides, a plant nursery, a Victorian house museum, restaurant, and tea room with traditional sweet treats like melktert and koeksusters round off the experience. It´s an ideal family outing that´s so much fun the kids won´t even notice it is history.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 19.47478172266224,-33.64338765989608,0.0 Ai|Ais/Richtersveld National Park ]]> ]]> The Richtersveld is a starkly beautiful mountain desert wilderness in the farthest corner of the Northern Cape, inhabited by the Nama people for centuries. The Nama (one of the last true nomad communities in the world) are pastoralists and migrate seasonally with their flocks of sheep and goats, living off the land in virtually nil-impact reed mat huts called |haru om that they take with them as they travel. The plant life of this area, called succulent Karoo vegetation, is uniquely adapted to survive only in these arid conditions, making it highly susceptible to even slight changes in climate or environment. In 1973 the apartheid government forcibly removed the indigenous Nama from this area.

|haru om (reed mat houses)

Succulent Karoo vegetation

Stripped of their ancestral lands the Nama community was disrupted, and with it the fragile ecological balance that existed between the nomadic herders and this sensitive vegetation. In 2007, in a bid to preserve this centuries-old culture, the region and its inhabitants were granted World Heritage Site status. Capturing the imagination of the world, the Nama provided a responsible conservation model that protects and sustains people, heritage and the environment. In mission settlements outside of the proclaimed area like Kuboes, Lekkersing, and Eksteenfontein it is possible to encounter their culture; hear their musical ´click-language´ being spoken, watch a traditional stapdans (step dance), ride in a donkey cart and engage with a remarkable people who are safeguarding their culture and resources through conservation.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 17.17832133914835,-28.33415086481874,0.0 Robben Island ]]> ]]>

Robben Island has been significant in the history of South Africa since early seafarers first visited this windswept rocky outcrop in the late 1400´s. Lying just off the coast of Cape Town, Robben Island (island of seals) served the newly established Cape colony as a larder (it was frequently plundered for birds´ eggs, shellfish and seal meat), a sea-locked pasture for livestock, and a source of limestone and shale to convert into building materials. Strategically located, it commands the entrance to Table Bay, the island was also sufficiently remote: only accessible by boat, and nigh impossible to escape from without one, its waters are littered with shipwrecks. It has served as a place of banishment for lepers and Sultans, Xhosa chieftains and the terminally ill and insane who were all dispatched here to be forgotten; until the 1860´s when an attempt was made to improve conditions, and its last wretched inhabitants were removed.

Robben Island ferry

Robben Island maximum security prison

Left to decline, Robben Island served as an interim naval base, and whaling station until, in 1961, a new maximum security prison was erected. Soon after, the first political prisoners arrived, Nelson Mandela the most famous among them. Ironically, tight security on the island allowed its ecology to recover from years of exploitation and flourish, while its prison population suffered torture and deprivation. Nelson Mandela and his comrades were transferred off the island in March 1982, having survived decades of isolation and institutional brutality. In 1996 Robben Island was declared a national monument and the first groups of tourists began arriving on its shores. Its surviving structures include 100 buildings and tarred roads, offering visitors a round-trip of this poignant atoll. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999 ´as the world´s most powerful symbol of resistance to oppression´.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 18.37234813251403,-33.80106529632687,0.0 District Six Museum ]]> Originally a multi-racial community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, labourers and immigrants, District Six was named the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town in 1867. Around 1901, under apartheid, around 60 000 black residents were the first to be forcibly displaced and ´resettled´ elsewhere, in this case to barren outlying areas known as the Cape Flats, their houses bulldozed. In 1966 it was declared a ´white´ area under the Group Areas Act of 1950. By 1982 the life of this vibrant place, where Hindus, Muslims and Christians co-existed peacefully, along with more than a century of history, community, solidarity and struggle was virtually wiped out.

Kramat (mosque) on Signal Hill

Cape Malay musicians

The District Six Museum established in 1994, works as a space where the history, memories and experiences of these forced removals can be told openly through its collections, exhibitions and education programmes. The museum curates and manages a precious collection of historical materials, prints, paintings and physical remains of District Six in the form of street signs, architectural vignettes, artefacts, books and photographic images. Some of these date from the turn of the 19th century and document the process of the removal itself and the accompanying human tragedy. It also has a small collection of original artworks by mostly local artists, and a unique sound archive collection of people´s stories, music and speeches to preserve the oral history of this vital cultural community that once enlivened the lower reaches of Devil´s Peak in Cape Town.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 18.42363994185931,-33.92788316372896,0.0 Castle of Good Hope ]]> The oldest building in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope is an absorbing historical and architectural legacy left behind by early European settlers in the Cape. Built by the Dutch East India Company or VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) as a stone stronghold to replace the earlier clay and timber fort built by the Cape´s first Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652, it is designed in the shape of a pentagon, with 5 bastions, Leerdam, Buren, Catzenellenbogen, Nassau and Oranje named in honour of Willem, the Prince of Orange. Commissioned as a functional military fort to safeguard the Company and its´ commercial interests in the East, construction began in 1666 with stone and lime drawn from Robben Island, and continued erratically, influenced by rumours of war and changes in governance, until 1679, with the arrival of Simon Van Der Stel (later promoted to Governor in 1691) when the Castle became his residence.

Changing of the guard, Castle of Good Hope

Company Gardens

Declared a national monument in 1936, the Castle of Good Hope houses the Castle Military Museum and ceremonial facilities for traditional Cape Regiments. Visitors to the Castle can see restored barracks, the powder house and armoury, living quarters and the Kat Balcony where proclamations and announcements were made to the early colonialists. Its original bell, the oldest in South Africa, was used to warn citizens of danger and could be heard 10km away; and the famous William Fehr Collection of historical paintings and period furniture housed here is of special relevance. Descend below sea level, into its dungeons where awaiting trial prisoners were held; watch the Castle Guards perform traditional ceremonies maintained since the forts´ inception and sample typically South African dishes at Het Bakhuys (site of the old bakery), enhanced by spectacular views of Table Mountain.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 18.42794389761369,-33.92607802465668,0.0 Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape ]]> The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape in Mapungubwe National Park, part of the Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area, is South Africa´s 5th World Heritage Site. Mapungubwe was an ancient African citadel set atop a natural stone stronghold, overlooking the adjoining borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. Archaeological remains discovered on this hill in 1933, record the growth and then decline of an African capital city between AD 900 and 1300, which at its height, was the largest kingdom in the African sub-continent. Intact royal grave sites have produced priceless golden artefacts including a gold-foiled rhinoceros, royal scepter and bowl. These items along with thousands of beads and other tools are clues to a prosperous and powerful society, whose economy, significantly, was rooted in trade, rather than agriculture or animal husbandry; and artefacts recovered show Arab, Chinese and Indian traders reached this area from Mozambique, bringing with them glass beads, cowrie and mussel shells to exchange for ivory and gold (it is believed the ´Mapungubwians´ panned for gold from the Shashe River). With no written records or surviving oral history, Mapungubwe remains a place of myth and superstition. The treasures unearthed here can be viewed at the Mapungubwe Museum at the University of Pretoria. Some scientists have argued that irreversible climate change brought this civilisation to an end, whilst others cite a shift in trade routes from Mapungubwe to Great Zimbabwe, another influential African civilisation known to have existed around the same time. What is certain is that Mapungubwe provides convincing evidence of a powerful African trading empire, with a complex economy and social hierarchy that existed in Southern Africa long before the Europeans arrived at the Cape in 1652.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 29.37277723446963,-22.2617541848841,0.0 Red Location Museum ]]> The Red Location Museum is an international award-winning architectural tour de force located in the township of New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. At the beginning of the 19th century, black people were forcibly relocated here and the area became a crucible for political activists and a safe haven for anti-apartheid fugitives. The museum, a primary development of the Red Location Cultural Precinct, is based on the concept of a ´memory box´ (migrant workers on South Africa´s mines carried a box filled with mementos to remind them of their homes and their roots). The museum resonates with the community through its construction materials - oxidised corrugated iron, wood and steel - that pay homage to its shanty-town location. It´s a museum about memory and metaphor that seeks to engage with the nation's recollections of an unjust past, using exhibitions depicting the horrors of institutionalised racism and the heroic efforts of the anti-apartheid movement. It´s one of only 2 museums in the country specialising in apartheid history (the other is the Apartheid Museum near Soweto, Johannesburg) and it´s the only museum in South Africa which houses an internal mausoleum. Among several exhibition spaces, the museum houses an art gallery showcasing local artists, and its community-run restaurant features reasonably priced local food. Vibrant public programmes hosted by the museum promote creative learning and serve as a stimulus for upgrading the impoverished living conditions in the settlement around it. Visitors should see the Red Location Museum as an extension of daily life in an extraordinary township, so stay a while - here local tours genuinely benefit the community and the cultural encounter of a lifetime awaits you in the company of the residents of New Brighton.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 25.60577751276267,-33.89774992140495,0.0 Apartheid Museum ]]> ]]> South of Johannesburg, set on a 7-hectare site of natural veld and indigenous bush, the Apartheid Museum is a striking architectural collage of concrete, red brick, rusted and galvanised steel. Utilising designers, film-makers, historians and personal testimony, the museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa, within a narrative multi-media space, with the express aim of raising humanity´s consciousness to the perilous consequences of racial prejudice. Museum entrance tickets classify visitors as either ´Non-white´ or ´White´, giving a disturbing indication of what is to follow. The 22 powerfully graphic individual exhibitions, dealing with the harrowing realities of state-sanctioned racial discrimination, transport visitors on an emotional roller coaster allowing them to experience, albeit briefly, the country´s turbulent history. Installations, images and sounds combine forcefully to drive home how the apartheid system wrought decades of social and psychological damage, destroyed people´s lives and caused enormous suffering on a national scale. The experience ends with an exhibit containing a book of the post-apartheid Constitution and from there leads outdoors into grassland with a small lake; a place to absorb and reflect on this traumatic period in our country´s history. As museum Director Christopher Till explains, ´There certainly is a lesson for other countries. It is not only important to tell the apartheid story, but it is also important to show the world how we have overcome it.´

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 28.03983261839626,-26.18227769829096,0.0 Freedom Park ]]> Purposely located on Salvokop hill, so as to overlook the city of Pretoria (Tshwane), the Voortrekker Monument, Unisa University and beyond to the horizon, Freedom Park is a whole new way of ´seeing´ South African history. The park is intended to embody the aspirations of the Rainbow Nation, and its message is clear: we need to critically deconstruct our past, and use these learnings to shape our future if we are to go forward as a cohesive liberal democracy, free of discrimination and prejudice. It´s a monumental undertaking ideologically and architecturally, comprising the Wall of Names, with each brick commemorating the warriors who gave their lives for a greater cause; an eternal flame to the unsung heroes that shaped our democracy; a Legends of Humanity gallery and a symbolic spiritual resting place for fallen soldiers of the struggle. This metaphysical national journey of healing and understanding is represented through 5 inter-connected symbolic sites named //hapo, Moshate, Isivivane, Sikhumbuto and Uitspanplek. Currently only Isivivane (the symbolic resting place of those who sacrificed their lives for humanity and freedom), and Sikhumbuto (consisting of the Wall of Names, an amphitheatre, the eternal flame, Gallery of Heroes and sanctuary) are open for public viewing, with the remaining sites due for completion in 2009. Drawing on symbols steeped in African tradition, Isivivane seeks to metaphorically share and cleanse the nation´s pain; whilst Sikhumbuto presents a mirror image of the nation´s historical consciousness and memorialises the liberation struggle that has shaped the modern South African nation. A visit to Freedom Park is a compelling experience, and has been described as the ´most ambitious heritage project of our new democratic government´. It is a national showcase that encapsulates our achievements and dreams; and maps a spiritual pathway to an enlightened, united democratic nation.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 28.18431258593336,-25.77681084647345,0.0 Nelson Mandela Museum Comprising 3 separate locations, the Nelson R. Mandela Museum consists of the Bhunga building in Mthatha, the Qunu component and an open-air museum at Mvezo. The historic Bhunga (translated loosely as council or caucus) building accommodates an exhibition tracing Nelson Mandela´s journey, as told in his own words, and narrated in part from his acclaimed biography ´A Long Walk to Freedom´; it also showcases a diverse selection of the pngts bestowed on South Africa´s most-beloved statesman, Madiba, during his presidency. From here visitors can visit Mvezo, Mandela´s rural birthplace, to gain an understanding of his humble beginnings. Born into a chiefly lineage within the Tembu people, his inkaba (umbilical cord) is buried here in accordance with Xhosa tradition, and it is where his father was stripped of his authority by the apartheid government and forced to flee while Mandela was still an infant. From there proceed to Qunu, where his family took refuge and he spent his childhood. Here he assumed a Christian name, Nelson, in place of his Xhosa name Rolihlahla (which means shaking the branches of a tree, or trouble maker), as was the custom at the missionary-run school he attended. He spent his boyhood here diligently doing herd-boy duties and playing in the river. The Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre is located at Qunu and comprises the second component of the Nelson Mandela Museum. This unusual heritage tour allows visitors to ´meet´ Madiba the man, activist, father, liberation struggle hero and former president, whilst providing insight into the proud Xhosa traditions that shaped one of South Africa and the world´s most influential and enigmatic figures.

]]> ]]> #Heritage clampToGround 28.79121347111514,-31.58557735729803,0.0 Thulamela The discovery of the stone citadel of Thulamela, which means ´place of birth´ in the VhaVenda language, is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in South Africa. Lying west of Pafuri, Thulamela was a stone-walled city atop a plateau in the Soutpansberg, and archaeological digs there revealed a well-organised mountain kingdom, ruled by an African monarch that flourished between 1200 and 1600 AD. Its inhabitants were highly industrialised, and included skilled goldsmiths and iron workers. The findings at Thulamela, coupled with the discovery of numerous pre-colonial mines in the region, show that the local people extracted iron ore, converted it into iron and traded with it long before the arrival of Europeans in southern Africa. Thulamela´s citizens also bartered gold objects, and glass beads from India and shards of Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain have been unearthed; while iron gongs suggest trade links with West Africa. A royal enclosure perched on the steep cliffs overlooking the Luvuvhu River, was excavated and both the queen and king´s bodies were found ornamented with gold, indicating their royal status. Extensive community consultation took place during the course of reconstruction and both local VhaVenda and Shangaan ChiTsonga cultures claim links to this site. The implications of Thulamela are profound, providing clues to a technologically sophisticated heritage, whilst underpinning a renewed southern African cultural renaissance.

]]> ]]> #Heritage clampToGround 30.25711119668175,-22.93649078817906,0 Botshabelo Mission Station ]]> ]]> Meaning ´place of refuge´ the Botshabelo Mission Station, near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, was established by the Reverend Alexander Merensky from the Berlin Mission Society during the 1860´s as a haven for Christians and converted Bapedi refugees. Now a museum, the site includes Fort Merensky (a national monument) and the Parsonage amongst other restored buildings. The complex also incorporates an Ndebele village, whose residents are descendants of the original Bapedi who sought shelter here. The Botshabelo Historical Village is an open-air museum that preserves the customs and the various art forms traditionally practised by the Ndebele, particularly their women, including beadwork, murals and the embroidering of blankets.

Fort Merensky, Middelburg

Botshabelo Mission

Following a centuries-old custom, the women here still wear traditional garments comprising chunky beaded ankle and neck bracelets, decorative leather aprons and brass neck and leg rings together with boldly striped blankets, and their appearance is striking, as eye-catching as their works of art. The women artists here are highly skilled in the art of mural making, decorating the exterior of their buildings with bold, brightly coloured geometric designs, drawing on a heritage of intuitive creativity that is passed down from mother to daughter. This village has produced some of South Africa´s foremost traditional artists like Esther Mahlangu, who broke with artistic tradition by transferring traditional Ndebele designs onto canvas and even a BMW motor vehicle; she´s participated in art exhibitions around the globe and her work is represented in prestigious local and international collections. Come here for a privileged glimpse into the rich artistic heritage of the Ndebele nation.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 29.40917392007614,-25.69991100723414,0.0 Soweto Struggle Sites ]]> ]]> The area known as Soweto is to be found south west of Johannesburg. From the 1930´s onwards thousands of black people were relocated here under protest from the inner city to make way for neighbourhoods earmarked as ´white´ by the apartheid government, and, together with waves of migrant workers seeking employment in Johannesburg, they were forced to make this barren flank of land their ´home´. Rich with struggle sites and history, Soweto is an international place of pilgrimage, drawing thousands of tourists to pay their respects to its larger-than-life liberation heroes. In Soweto´s oldest suburb, Orlando, on Vilakazi street, is the Nelson Mandela Family Museum, and nearby, the former residence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, making it the only street in the world where 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners once lived. Close by is Orlando High School, whose students were among the catalysts in the June 16th 1976 Soweto uprisings, and their courage and political conviction are commemorated at the Hector Peterson Memorial and Museum nearby. Along with Hector Peterson, one of the first children to die in the riots, liberation struggle veterans Joe Slovo, Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi and Zephania Mothopeng are buried at Avalon Cemetery, where another memorial to the victims of the 1976 uprisings has been erected. A struggle tour of Soweto would not be complete without a visit to the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Moroka. A spiritual haven for thousands of Sowetans, it played a crucial role in the township´s history of resistance against apartheid; while the Freedom Charter, the basis of our ground-breaking constitution, can be viewed at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, also known as Freedom Square, in historic Kliptown. For anyone interested in the origins of the new democratic South Africa, Soweto is a must-visit destination.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 27.87238335246257,-26.26606503524002,0.0 Origins Centre ]]> Located in Johannesburg, at the University of the Witwatersrand, the Origins Centre comprises 2 independent, yet closely related museums - the South African Museum of Rock Art (SAMORA) and the James Kitching Gallery. It was conceived at the instigation of President Thabo Mbeki after he visited the world-famous San rock art site of Game Pass, in the Kamberg region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, and was perturbed to see how little had been done to share and protect this fragile heritage for the people of South Africa. The SAMORA museum focuses on the origins of modern humans and human image-making; whilst the James Kitching Gallery looks broadly at the origins of human life.

San Rock Art

San hunter-gatherer

Described as ´a museum in Africa for the people of the world´ the museum sites draw together dinosaur bones and DNA; San rock art and anthropological artefacts in a fascinating ensemble that seeks to understand the evolution of South African history, through the spiritual beliefs and the artistic legacy of the San people. Scientific research indicates that modern human lineages originally come out of Africa, meaning we, the people of the world, share 99.9% of our DNA. ´We are who we are because of who we were´, so go on a journey of self-discovery at the Origins Centre.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 28.02932792199042,-26.18961479224092,0.0 Cradle of Humankind ]]> ]]> The Sterkfontein Caves that form part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site are one of the most important anthropological sites in the world, because the scientific discoveries made there have been ground-breaking in our search for the origins of humankind. It´s estimated that 40% of the world´s human ancestor fossils have been found here, along with stone tools, extinct animal fossils and evidence of early man´s use of fire. Discovered by an Italian prospector in 1896, the Sterkfontein Cave complex is owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, whose scientists have been responsible for the main excavations. Best known are the world-acclaimed discoveries of Mrs Ples and Little Foot, an almost complete ape-man skeleton dating back some 4.1 million years, hailed at the time of its discovery as ´globally the most important fossil ever found´.

Ancient caves

"Mrs Ples", a hominid fossil discovered in 1947

Across the valley at the Maropeng Visitor Interpretation Centre a recently unveiled in situ cast of Little Foot, as it is in the breccia, can be seen. Maropeng which means ´return to your origins´, is an international award-winning exhibition centre that uses science to reveal what makes us human through interactive exhibits, installations and audio-visual presentations that explore intriguing facts about the human population, past, present and future. Its cutting-edge technology includes an underground boat ride, transporting visitors through ice-ages and black holes in 4 billion years of simulated earth-history.

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 27.78877460225172,-25.94442205217729,0.0 Dumazulu Traditional Village ]]> ]]> To experience authentic Zulu culture in the heritage-rich province of KwaZulu-Natal, visit one of its cultural villages. Dumazulu Traditional Village and Lodge is situated in the heart of Zululand. Meaning ´Thundering Zulu´ Dumazulu is the largest Zulu village of its kind in the southern hemisphere and its traditional village is home to over 50 Zulu residents forming part of a ´living museum´. Visitors can take a day tour or overnight in ethnic-inspired accommodation in the village, where the exterior of each unit represents different tribal dwellings found in Southern Africa, including Zulu, Swazi, Northern Sotho, Xhosa, Venda, Tsonga and Ndebele.

. Zulu dancers

Filtering traditional beer

The lodge is connected by wooden walkways to Dumazulu Village, where guests can learn about traditional Zulu customs and society, including social etiquette; and watch basket-weaving, spear and shield making, beer brewing, beadwork, pot-making, and, the resident Sangoma (witchdoctor) can tell guests´ futures by "throwing the bones". The cultural experience culminates in a variety of spectacular Zulu dances, and the opportunity to sample a selection of traditional and indigenous dishes. Nearby is HluHluwe Game Reserve, renowned for its conservation work with rhino´s, offering the perfect combination of genuine Zulu culture, nature and wildlife

]]> #Heritage clampToGround 32.28098900505739,-28.11222964618167,0.0 Urban Vibes 25.23194177145433 -28.29744895427579 0 1739032.700358504 0 -2.29875156051302 relativeToGround Long Street ]]> Covering more than 20 blocks of Cape Town´s central business district, historic Long Street is vintage Cape Town with a suitable Mother City attitude. By day its fashionable café´s and restaurants spill onto bustling sidewalks, and by night its pubs, hot dance clubs and chill-bars keep on partying.

Long Street: © CapeSpirit

Night vibe, Long Street: © Daddy Long Legs

Watched over by imposing Table Mountain, Long Street is a heady cocktail of city chic and corner stores; hostels and art-hotels; bead shops and bistros; and along its bohemian length, you can watch street vendors and socialites, trend-setters and traders, worshippers and wanna-be´s on parade. Sip a cappuccino in the eternal Long Street Café, lunch lightly in an organic deli or tuck in at a generous African eatery; and inside the Palm Wine and Spirit Store, there are old photos of Long Street on display, some dating back to 1926. Historic landmarks like the Metropole Hotel, Mission Church, the Noor el Hameida and Pink Mosques, all contribute to the street´s historic atmosphere and charm. Every inch of Long street begs to be explored, but not to be missed are the Long Street Baths, now beautifully upgraded (the complex dates back to 1908), and the Pan African Market, housed in a Victorian arcade, is the biggest permanent market for African curios in Cape Town. With its legendary second-hand stores, archaic storefronts and designer loft boutiques, Long Street is set to long remain a Cape Town institution.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 18.41646968835231,-33.92489072701002,0.0 Victoria & Alfred Waterfront ]]> Situated in the heart of Cape Town´s working harbour with Table Mountain as its backdrop, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with more than 400 stores, 80 eateries and extended shopping hours should not be missed. It´s a shopper´s paradise and round-the-clock entertainment and leisure venue, with the best sea views in Cape Town. Boasting award-winning hotels, a world-class aquarium, luxury apartments and a residential yacht basin, it´s the Mother City´s answer to Monte Carlo, or the Riviera, made more exceptional by a spritz of Cape Town sophistication and maritime glamour. History lovers will delight in an historical site tour around the marina, and the Robben Island Exhibition and Information Centre situated next door to the Clock Tower building, depicting the history of Robben Island and the struggle for democracy. Ferry tours to Robben Island depart from here and booking is essential. Come here for sunset jazz at the Green Dolphin, ocean-fresh seafood, wine shopping, top quality African curios, craft markets, buskers, harbour cruises and more.

Shopping, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Historic Clock Tower, V&A Waterfront

Affectionately called the "V & A", it´s one of the city´s finest fashion emporiums, so get set to take home bags of designer gear including African-inspired, one-off creations from local couturiers; and it´s a gem for anyone looking to take home diamonds, gold or tanzanite, with 33 stores showcasing the creative talents of South Africa&s top jewellery designers. Cape Town is one of South Africa´s most desirable destinations, and a visit to the V & A Waterfront will give you a taste of just how enviable Cape Town´s famously laid-back lifestyle can be.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 18.42032586712932,-33.90488045111116,0.0 Knysna ]]> ]]> Loved for its lush natural beauty, waterways and seaside appeal, Knysna´s languid vibe keeps visitors coming back for more. From Thessen Island, the Garden Route´s own Venice, to the Knysna Waterfront Quays, with its up-market shopping, restaurants, gourmet deli´s and harbour cruises there´s endless sophisticated entertainment beside the water here. A trip to the Oyster Tavern at the estuary to slurp down Knysna´s world-renowned gastronomic delicacies whilst quaffing champagne, is a quintessential Knysna experience.

Oysters at the Knysna Oyster Company: © Ian Flemming

Waterfront and Quay: © Ian Flemming

A trip to the Judah Square Rastafarian community on it´s outskirts to learn about their religious beliefs, let´s you discover Knysna´s quirkier side; so spend a mystical night here, for a peek into this ecologically-minded rasta family, with its spiritual roots in Ethiopia. And, for 4 days in May, Knysna turns pink with pride during its fabulous annual Pink Loerie Carnival. Take a trip to its indigenous forests, where you´ll not only meet remarkable trees, but communities too. Erstwhile woodcutters and forestry labourers, having fallen on hard times, have responded by creating a vibrant community route where visitors can stay in their homes, purchase their crafts, go on guided forest walks, enjoy home-cooked meals and experience homely eco-friendly hospitality.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 23.06145933207449,-34.06923259325049,0.0 Nelson Mandela Bay ]]> ]]> Situated on the Garden Route, Nelson Mandela Bay has world-class beaches, 5-star game-viewing and is packed with family-orientated entertainment complexes, monuments, buzzing night-life and museums; but for the best vibe visit the Port Elizabeth townships of Kwazakhele, Zwide, New Brighton and Red Location. Besides their fascinating political and social resistance history, it´s these townships´ in-your-face attitude that you´ll admire. Shebeens (taverns) are an essential part of township life, so join the locals for jazz and gossip at Jeya´z, Kwe Kwes tavern, or Patidos Pub and Grub.

Partying with the kids Credit: © Calabash Tours

Statue of Queen Victoria Credit: © Calabash Tours

Inside Port Elizabeth´s urban heart, Saturday nights mean hot fashion and fast cars, and a Sunday braai (barbeque) is an all day affair with kwaito and gansta-rap music turned up loud. Travel to the areas outlying the Nelson Mandela Metropole, to gain insight into rural village life as it´s been in the Eastern Cape for centuries. The rich traditions and community life of the Xhosa nation is fascinating and fulfilling, making a trip to this part of the country a must-do for any open-minded, socially responsible traveller in search of authentic South African vibe.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 25.5480123061589,-33.90707253471785,0.0 Gateway Theatre of Shopping ]]>

Durban´s Gateway´s Theatre of Shopping is a one of a kind shopping and entertainment complex, with an unexpected extreme adventure twist, that cranks Umhlanga´s laid-back beach vibe up more than a notch or two. The Wave House offers a fusion of all core board sports under 1 roof - with barrelling waves for surfers, sheer terrain for snowboarders, a static wake for wake boarders, and a ´forgiving´ surface for skate borders - there is nothing else like it in South Africa. The signature Tony Hawk Skate Park consists of 6 sections including a near-vertical ramp and two concrete bowls called the Snake Run and Kidney Bowl, for maximum aerobatic thrills. Adrenalin sports junkies dare to climb The Rock - at 22,5m it´s the world´s highest indoor climbing wall; and extreme motoring enthusiasts can take on its wild 4x4 track with its terrain of canyons, river beds and ridges at a heart-racing 40° tilt!

Gateway Theatre of Shopping Credit: © Gateway

The Rock indoor climbing wall, Gateway Credit: © Gateway

The whole family has fun at the Fantasy Forest with ten pin bowling, go-carts, mini golf, foefie slide (zip slide), amusement arcade, bumper cars and train. The ScienCentre has over 250 interactive science and technology displays that will enthrall you; and the Kizo Gallery showcasing original local art, offers expert advice on investing, sourcing and private commissions. The hippest spot on the north coast, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping is more than just a place to shop and dine - it´s a theatre of thrills.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 31.06644047282789,-29.72839688255336,0.0 Florida Road ]]> A Durban phenomenon, trendy Florida Road is where you can eat Thai or Italian, shop South African, get a tattoo, coif your hair, party ´till 5.30 am and get breakfast at 6. Slightly over 1km in length, Florida Road is home to 27 buildings of national significance (most are over 60 years old), and as many kinds of cuisine. Brash bohemian flair, yesteryear elegance, and the patronage of Durban´s glamour set all add to this road´s reputation for being fabulous. More than an entertainment strip, Florida Road is a lifestyle, so if you´re after a ´nice cup of tea´, best look elsewhere - this thoroughfare is sidewalk to sidewalk crowds, noise, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Trendy Reform Club on Florida Road Credit: © Reform Club

Florida Road Credit: © Sommersby

Irreplaceable heritage architecture includes Hollis House, and two Edwardian villas, dated 1900 that, after the Second World War, were converted into a private hotel. Florida Road has been flaunting it´s colonial charm since 1890, and ´trendoids´ love its retro street culture. From the Quarters and the Benjamin boutique hotel´s 5-star hospitality; to art-kitsch and fine art; and flashy gay nightclubs, it´s all happening here - you can do diamonds and tiaras or jeans and takkies (sneakers) - just get down to Florida Road.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 31.01753018545547,-29.83418787089786,0.0 White River ]]> Conveniently located between the metropolis of Nelspruit and the world-famous Kruger National Park, White River succeeds at being trendy and vibrant whilst holding onto its small town charm. A tight-knit community of landowners, artists, farmers, nature lovers and big city escapees, its atmosphere is laid-back, friendly and somewhat eccentric. One of White River´s best-loved venues is Casterbridge. Once a mango plantation, this relaxed and elegant lifestyle centre is where locals and tourists alike spend their free time browsing through natty craft and stylish interior décor shops.

Casterbridge Farm: © Casterbridge

Cycads, Lowveld Botanical Gardens: © Jo Onderstall

Hand-crafted wooden furniture here is superb and there are lots of restaurants to choose from. It has a cinema, theatre, petting zoo, a vintage car museum, tourist information centre and weekly Saturday market selling home-made goods. A sizeable esoteric community resides in White River too, so look out for alternative therapies and holistic healing fairs. White River fine dining spots include Salt restaurant, Baghdad Café and Oliver´s, while local delis and road side stalls are filled with tropical and citrus fruits (fresh or dried), macadamia nuts and oil, smoked trout, fresh prawns from nearby Mozambique, venison and biltong (dried meat). Visit silk farms, ceramic studios, and an orange winery; lunch at country guesthouses or play a round of golf. However you spend your time here, the hospitality is genuine and the attractions abundant.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 31.01869559200656,-25.32502647588884,0.0 Soweto ]]> ]]>

Soweto township is mesmerising - grabbing your attention with its street markets, congested taxi-ranks and spaza shops. Known the world over for its role in the struggle for democracy, Soweto hums day and night, and its vibe is electrifying. It´s Gucci and gospel, Hummers and hip hop, Loxion Kulcha (a sought-after local fashion brand that originated in the townships) and livestock, glamour and gogo´s (grandmothers). Trend-setting Soweto loves to have a good time, and its suburbs abound with local eateries, shebeens (taverns) music venues and pumping nightclubs. Grab a bite to eat at a shisanyama (hot food) roadside barbeque, and if you´re up for it, try a smiley (boiled sheep´s head), it´s considered a local delicacy; or go to Wandie´s Place, a Soweto restaurant institution; celebs from across the globe have dined on its local specialities and booking is essential.

Diski (football) fans, Soweto Credit: © City of Johannesburg

Orlando Power Station, Soweto Credit: © City of Johannesburg

Meet the city´s elite at Nambitha or indulge in delicious quantities of food, beer and loads of atmosphere at Sakhumzi´s on Vilakazi Street, across from the Nelson Mandela Family Museum. Follow the bling and the BEAT - marabi, kwaito, funk, blues, and house all jostle for ear-space on the jam-packed ultra-stylish dance floors of this mega-party town. Jazz has been at the heart of Soweto since the 1960´s, and performances happen all the time at local community halls, shebeens or in someone´s backyard, so pull up a chair. Attend a local football match, the passion with which the beautiful game is worshipped here is infectious; and if you´ve backed the winning team expect things to remain raucous until sunrise. Complete your experience with a night or 3 in a local B&B, you´ll instantly become one of the family, and truly ´see´ this amazing township.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 27.8679969923973,-26.27005321857588,0.0 Dinokeng ]]> Dinokeng, a bourgeoning tourist attraction north east of Tshwane (Pretoria), is an area rich in wildlife, culture, heritage and entertainment, so it is the perfect place to experience South African vibe, whether you´re an adventurous tourist or a time-challenged business traveller. Dinokeng, meaning ´place of rivers´, covers the towns of Roodeplaat and Cullinan, and incorporates the informal settlements of Hammanskraal, Onverwacht and Refilwe, providing opportunities to take a township tour, meet the residents, and experience their lively urban culture.

Aerial view of Cullinan Mine Credit: © Easyfind

Ndebele Village Credit: © Easyfind

The Khuwana Tavern in Nelson Mandela Village near Rust de Winter, with its erotic murals, ice-cold quarts of beer, spicy Mozambique-inspired cuisine and pumping kwaito music is a local party venue as hot any big city club. Dinokeng offers adventure sports, local arts and crafts, welcoming hospitality and safari and game viewing of the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) in its 3 nature reserves. There´s Ndebele, Tsonga, BaPedi and Tswana culture; Anglo-Boer war sites, bird watching and water sports at Roodeplaat and Rust de Winter Dam. South Africa´s largest diamond was discovered at Cullinan, and its revamped mining village is a gem, with absorbing diamond mine tours and a factory-direct shop where you can purchase a sparkler and have it set while you wait. Quaint Victorian shop fronts on Cullinan´s high street house bustling restaurants, old fashioned tea gardens, galleries, guesthouses, a whimsical theatre-cum-antique shop hand-decorated with ´junk´; and, there are top-class wellness centres, like Zau Spa and Kievitskroon nearby. The best of South Africa all in a day? It´s possible in Dinokeng.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 28.53152745034474,-25.6657321804181,0.0 Gold Reef City ]]> ]]> Gold Reef City Casino, with its amusement park and re-created atmosphere of old-time gold-rush Johannesburg, offers the whole family an action-packed experience brimming with history and fun that´s hard to beat. Take a light-hearted historical tour of a replica mining village, hop aboard a steam train, and pretend, for a moment, you´re a miner and go 2000m underground; catch displays of traditional and gumboot dancing and watch gold being poured - for it is on this precious metal that Johannesburg was founded. Head for Gold Reef City´s Disney-style theme park, but with an African twist, for even more entertainment and thrills.

Roulette Credit: © Gold Reef City Casino

Entrance to Gold Reef City Credit: © Walter Knirr

Dare to see Jozi´s skyline from atop theGiant Wheel, ride the UFO, Dream Boat and stomach-churningAnaconda.For the lucky or loaded, Gold Reef City Casino, open 24 hours a day, offers slots, tables, sports betting, and a Salon Privé for the highrollers; or enjoy restaurants, old-fashioned shops and pubs, music venues and theatre shows. Gold Reef City is certainly one of Gauteng´s most enduring attractions loved for its carnival atmosphere, variety of entertainment and value-for-money fun. In the same area, don´t miss the the Apartheid Museum, which provides chilling insight into the story of racial segregation in South Africa.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 28.01359057489026,-26.23612554160931,0.0 Sandton ]]> ]]>

Sandton is Johannesburg´s new, upmarket business district in the heart of the northern suburbs. Sandton City is where the well-heeled citizens of Egoli (the City of Gold) go to play. Johannesburg´s fashion capital for years, Sandton City offers international shopping with South African flair, where 300 luxurious shops feature the world´s best-loved fashion brands and local couturier creations to covet and collect. From gourmet goodies and ´to-die-for´ footwear, bespoke suits and designer jewels, come here to watch or join the beautiful people of Jozi as they shop up a storm.

Michelangelo Hotel, Nelson Mandela Square Credit: © Legacy Hotels

Soap stone heads at African Culture Market Credit: © Erik Foster

Sip a skinny latté in one of its elegant coffee shops or linger at one of the many fine dining options in and around the mall. The Linger Longer restaurant in Wierda Valley is a Jo´burg culinary icon, Auberge Michel is where the rich and famous go for Michelin star equivalent gastronomy and Le Canard is a bastion of authentic French cuisine. At Nelson Mandela Square, a 6 m bronze Nelson Mandela statue watches over the financial districts´ most fashionable meeting place. With over 90 exclusive boutique stores under roof, it´s the place to be seen on a sunny Jozi weekend. Rimmed by the exclusive Michelangelo Hotel and Towers, Nelson Mandela Square´s fashionable piazza is lined with trendy sidewalk cafés and tourists queue up to dine at its world-renowned steak-houses like the Butcher Shop and Grill, and the African-themed Lekgotla. Visit the outdoor African Culture Market at the chic Village Walk Shopping Centre next door, where you´ll find high-end clothing boutiques, home décor, antiques and Suite16 restaurant, which serves authentic township food with a designer twist. If catwalks, Chanel and cappuccinos are your thing, strut down to Sandton, darling, you´ll fit right in.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 28.05294686127435,-26.1092419379671,0.0 Golden Mile ]]> ]]> The seaside of city of Durban or "Durbs" as the locals call it, is a 6km beachfront heaven, with safe, environmentally-friendly bathing beaches, excellent surfing and swimming spots and a tropical vibe. Restaurants, luxury hotels and self-catering apartments with fabulous sea views line the Marine Parade and there are pavilions to picnic at, piers to fish from, and promenades to stroll along.

Beachfront, Marine Parade, Durban

Flea market

Funworld amusement park has an aerial cableway, assorted joyrides and is a great place to splash out with the kids. There´s a miniature town, a surf museum and pavement markets bursting with traditional crafts and cheerful wares to browse. Take a traditional rickshaw ride, or admire the area´s art deco architecture (and its bronzed bodies) from a beachside bar. This strip never sleeps, so after dark, head for the Suncoast Casino, dine out, or live it up in one of many clubs, pubs and live entertainment venues. The Golden Mile´s showstopper though, has to be uShaka Marine World, South Africa´s largest commercial marine park. Seaworld at uShaka consists of an interactive shipwreck-themed aquarium where you can shark cage-dive, snorkel amongst tropical fish, and there´s a special aquarium touch pool; enjoy daily shows at the dolphinarium including seal and penguin displays; and water babies of all ages will have a blast at Wet ´n´ Wild with fresh water rides that range from heart-stopping chutes and slides to calm tube rides. The Village Walk, uShaka´s retail area, has restaurants, fast food and shopping outlets galore, or enjoy fine dining beside the shark tank at the sumptuous Cargo Hold restaurant; while at uShaka beachfront anyone can learn to surf or kayak, whilst soaking up Durban´s sunshine.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 31.03017276982351,-29.84142873841676,0.0 Newtown Cultural Precinct ]]> As part of the Johannesburg inner-city regeneration, the Newtown Cultural Precinct has achieved much more than attracting retail and commercial business back to what was once the site of an old power station. Providing a wealth of avenues for creative expression, Newtown is a magnet for artists, musicians, dancers and performers. Located around Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown´s vibe is distinctly cosmopolitan and underlying its trendy coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and clubs is the same avant garde attitude that made it a hot-bed of resistance theatre, music and poetry under apartheid.

Bassline music venue, Newtown Credit: © Kagiso Special Places

MuseuMAfrica, Newtown Credit: © Kagiso Special Places

The area has outstanding museums, including MuseuMAfrica, where the exhibits track life in South Africa from the Stone Age to modern times. Visit the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a highly entertaining interactive exhibit using the magic of science; and toast your visit with a tour and beer tasting at the South African Breweries World of Beer. Live music venues abound in continually creative Newtown so make your way to Kippies, a world-famous jazz haunt, groove to rock and blues at Bassline, or catch sounds from across Africa at its numerous night spots, preceded (or followed if you´re a night owl) by a traditional meal at Gramadoelas or an upmarket pan-African feast at Moyo´s at the Market Theatre. Community craft initiatives are big here, so visit the Bus Factory craft workshop, and, at the Zasekhaya Market shoppers will find one-of-a kind, South African-made furniture, funky home ware and more. Take a drive over the impressive Nelson Mandela Bridge, the gateway to Newtown, and nearby Metro Mall is a fascinating place to explore local culture, shopping and transport. If you´re seeking a quintessential Jo´burg night out, or wondering where Gauteng´s artistic soul came of age, look no further than Newtown.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 28.03034138740305,-26.20108882431137,0.0 Rosebank ]]>

Rosebank is a business hub and major tourist attraction in northern Johannesburg. Fashionable, Rosebank has a cosmopolitan kick that revs you from early morning, with an espresso at a trendy sidewalk café, ´til the last pre-dawn nightcap at an exclusive club. Buzzing with pavement cafés, restaurants, luxurious hotels, art-house cinemas and stylish bars, go to Rosebank for the hottest fashion trends, decor and designer living.

Shopping, Rosebank Mall

Wood carving, African Market, Rosebank

Fashionistas flock to its glitzy malls for cutting-edge local and international brands, so don´t miss local stores, Stoned Cherrie and YDE at The Zone for hip home-grown style; while Rosebank Mall and The Firs offer high-street exclusivity in an elegant mall setting. Business people feed off its 24-hour energy and tourists love its multi-cultural vibes, venues and markets. Open 7 days a week, the African Craft Market, gathers artists and craftspeople from across Africa under one roof to showcase their wares, where your bartering skills will secure you the best price; while the Sunday Rooftop Market, with 600 quality stalls has been voted Jozi´s best market for over a decade. Don´t miss some of the country´s finest art galleries, including the Everard Read Gallery and the Goodman Gallery, Jo´burg´s pre-eminent gallery for international and local contemporary art. Whether you´re a party animal chasing non-stop action, a beautiful young thing looking to preen and be seen, or a cultural creative wanting to discover South Africa´s new urban soul, bank on Rosebank - it´s fabulous, funky and fun.

]]> #UrbanVibes clampToGround 28.08238151610382,-26.20143172899232,0.0 Fordsburg ]]> There´s a magic to Fordsburg that grabs as soon as you mingle with the crowds that throng its streets. Fordsburg has a long history of struggle against apartheid, and many famous South Africans are linked to the area, including activists GM Naiker, Amina Cachalia, Yusuf Dadoo and Nelson Mandela. A memorial at the Hamida Mosque, honours 1000´s of Indians, who, in support of Ghandi´s philosophy of Satyagra (passive resistance), set their pass books alight in defiance of racially unjust legislation. The Oriental Plaza, Fordsburg´s best-known landmark, is where the original Indian traders - relocated by the apartheid government - regrouped, and today this multi-story shopping centre for fabrics, silks and spices is a focal point of the community, drawing shoppers and bargain hunters from afar.

Sari salesman Credit: © Robyn Campbell

Fordsburg Credit: © LucileDavie / City of Johannesburg

Known as ´Little India´, Fordsburg is predominantly Indian and Muslim, and one of the only places in Johannesburg that is completely halaal. The streets are a colourful frenzy of tables overflowing with curios, sweet meats and trinkets, and hole-in-the wall shops sell everything from shoes and shisha pipes, to jewellery and DVD´s. Shrill Bollywood soundtracks battle thumping American hip-hop sounds; and you´ll be enticed by the smell of coffee shops, American fast-food, aromatic Syrian and Bangladeshi delicacies and authentic Pakistani cuisine, as you weave your way through the bumper-to-bumper cars lining its streets. More than its intoxicating energy and street culture, its Fordsburg´s willingness to assimilate and tolerate that makes a lasting impression.

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