subject: Walk On The Wild Side In Africa [print this page] Africa - a place as beautiful as it is wild. A place with so many locations to explore travellers are spoilt for choice.
Cape Town is should be top of the list of every African itinerary. Located on the south-western tip of Africa, Cape Town is regarded as one of the most beautiful places on earth. This province is made up of six regions: Cape Town, Cape Overberg, Cape Winelands, Cape Garden Route & Klein Karoo, Cape West Coast and Cape Karoo.
And thrill seekers are welcome in Cape Town. Popular local activities range from scenic drives and hiking trails to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world to shark cage diving. Cape Town is also home to some of the best golf courses in the world.
For travellers looking to soak up the local culture there are a range of activities to whet your appetite. Take the ferry to Robben Island to visit Nelson Mandela's prison cell. Or explore the preserved mission stations at Elim and Genadendal. Or you could take in a township tour and experience a little culture in Cape Flats.
After Cape Town, South Africa's Garden Route is Africa's second most popular tourist destination. Stretching along the coast like an exotic snake, the Garden Route is a rich tapestry of towering forests, clear freshwater lakes and fathomless gorges. See nature up close in South Africa's Oyster Capital. Or - if you'd prefer to laze the day away, the sandy white beaches and clear blue seas are perfect for a spot of whale or dolphin spotting.
Popular ways to explore the jewel of South Africa include: paragliding, four-wheel driving, hiking and bicycle riding. But don't be fooled into thinking this region is all about fitness - fine cuisine and luxury accommodation is always nearby with some of South Africa's best guesthouses tucked away in the forest.
A paradise for wine connoisseurs, Cape Winelands is another must-see. Located in the south-western Cape, the Mediterranean climate and rainfall combine to produce some of the best wines in the country. There are many luxury tours of the region on offer, and along the way guests are encouraged to stop and wander through historic villages and homesteads.
The fertile soils along the Breede River Valley and the areas of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. Popular wine routes include the Constantia Valley, Coastal Routes, Little Karoo and Olifants River, to name a few.
A visit to the Eastern Cape is essential for any itinerary. The terrain in this region is wild and varied. From the lush Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof wilderness, from the southern slopes of the Drakensberg to the arid Great Karoo, Eastern Cape exemplifies the inherent contradictions within nature perfectly.
Why not get up close and personal with the local fauna and go on safari to encounter the Big Five? The Big Five are the buffalo, elephant, lion, rhinocerous and leopard. Guided tours abound in this region, giving visitors the opportunity to experience wild animals up close.
Port Elizabeth is another destination not to be missed. This region is host to beautiful parks, botanical gardens and nature reserves that contain an abundance of local fauna. More importantly, Addo Elephant National Park is home to approximately 200 elephants as well as Cape buffalo, black rhino, kudu and over 180 bird species.
Be sure to check out Kwa Zulu Natal, the Zulu Kingdom. This kingdom ranges from the subtropical south coast to the scenic beauty of the Midlands, from the mountainous Drakensberg to the lush valleys of the North Coast. Host to two World Heritage sites - the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, this province features stunning beaches, an abundance of wildlife and relics of the great battles in South African history.
Nelspruit is known as the gateway to Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park. This is primitive Africa at its best - as the caves of Sudwala, Dinosaur Park and the Cultural Centre would testify. The region contains enough hiking trails to keep travellers busy for weeks on end.
As the largest and richest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is perfect for travellers wishing to pick up the pace. Luxury accommodation abounds in Jo-burg, with a large number of stylish five star hotels available at your leisure.
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 when an unemployed miner found a stone bearing traces of gold, prompting the masses to flock to South Africa. Johannesburg became 'The Gold Capital of the World', and South Africa enjoyed an economic boom.
A country of contradictions, Africa is the perfect destination for the traveller who is themselves a little 'Wild at Heart.'
by: Sue Johnson
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