South Africa

[Prawn_86]

The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometres and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. To the north of South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent enclave surrounded by South African territory.

[TheAbyss]

Went to Sun City last month. Great place for family and golf. Lots to do, Hot air balloning, game park drives, quad bikes etc.

The golf was great, Gary Player course was closed as they were setting up for the international tournament hiowever the Sun city course was fantastic and the famous 13th hole didnt disappoint with the crocodiles out in the sun.

The entire valley is awesome and protected by strict security. The casino is small by our standards but still a great place to spend the night.

Lots more to tell if anyone is interested.

[Prawn_86]

The entire valley is awesome and protected by strict security. The casino is small by our standards but still a great place to spend the night.

Lots more to tell if anyone is interested.

That is one question i have always wondered about South Africa. How safe is it?

Would you advise the average traveller to only stick to certain cities/areas?

[Prawn_86]

That is one question i have always wondered about South Africa. How safe is it?

Would you advise the average traveller to only stick to certain cities/areas?

Ayone out there able to shed some further light on this?

[kennas]

Apparantly it's very dangerous at the moment.

I have a South African friend here and they will not go home.

I visited in 1994 and the taxi companies were having a war in Cape Town. Lots of drive by shootings.

We drove around the Garden route from Cape Town to Durban and at one point we were leaving a hotel somewhere (New London I think) and we told the barman we were driving up to Durban through Kwa Zulu Natal and he said 'I hope you have some AK47s with you'. LOL

I think everyone still carries hand guns around there too. I was in a bar in Cape Town amazed as I watched everyone come in and hand over their pistols at the front door and get a ticket for them. South African version of checking your coat.

Beautiful country though.

[Prawn_86]

Beautiful country though.


Yeh i dont mind reading the odd Wilbur Smith book for a bit of escapism and he can definitely transfer his love for Africa across to the reader. The one im reading at the moment, Rage, is based in South Africa

[goutham]

i love south africa!! i went there in july for like 2 weeks and stayed with my friends and then we went on safari
its so amazing i am going to go abk there after school, maybe study there or even live there
i esp love your accents.....SOOO hot xx
my ideas r that u guys love to party hahah and beach it

[INDOVAGANZA]

I never been to South Africa, but I hear and watch in tv, it looks so interesting.
Would love to visit this thread again to read more articles.
Thank you

[Navigationz]

That is one question i have always wondered about South Africa. How safe is it?

Would you advise the average traveller to only stick to certain cities/areas?
South Africa is no less safe than any European destination I can think of ... to the contrary, it is safer than some. Naturally some common sense and due caution is required (as is everywhere) and one should not take foolish risks (like wandering about the Townships at night), but the major cities are all fine and Cape Town, in particular, is superb for tourists.

[Prawn_86]

and Cape Town, in particular, is superb for tourists.

Hi Nav,

Welcome to ATF :)

South Africa is one place i would love to go, and i have heard good things about Cape Town also. What would you say are the must see's of Cape Town?

And when you say wandering about at night, do you mean anywhere? Or just certain areas?

[Navigationz]

There is just so much to see & do! I'd recommend doing the Cableway in time to see sunset from the top of Table Mountain; some time at the V&A Waterfront is a must; a visit to a wine estate (my favourite is Spier); dinner at Ginja... For a brief introduction to the most popular attractions the City Sightseeing bus is great - you get to see places such as the District 6 Museum, the World of Birds and Kirstenbosch Botanical. Check out the guide at my blog ;-)

Re safety: no, I meant only certain areas i.e the townships; lonely/poorly lit spots etc. (same as one will steer clear of in any City).

[Prawn_86]

So what would be your favourite regional part of South Africa Nav?

[Navigationz]

So what would be your favourite regional part of South Africa Nav? Absolutely the Western Cape, heading along the East Coast via the Garden Route. As far as major cities go, Cape Town wins hands down and for exploring varied countryside there is nothing to beat the Garden Route.

[Prawn_86]

So are you a South African local Nav? Or did you immigrate there?

[Prawn_86]

I was talking to someone who was originally from South Africa, and she said that she is amazed how much people care about politics here in Aus. Apparently in South Africa, the majority parties always have black leaders due to the huge difference in population types and that most 'white' people there don't really care, or have a choice, in their political leaders.

[Mitch]

Hey,

I was over there travelling around in a rented little beast for a few months in 2005. SA is decidedly dodgy in parts and you would not call it a totally safe destination to travel. The main tip would just not to take doing certain things for granted like we do at home;

We pulled up at an empty beach for a surf only to be told by a guy that came screetching off the highway to tell us it wasnt safe to be anywhere near the place (due to recent serious crime in the area). It's just a matter of being really aware of what's going on and asking the locals about the do's and don'ts. It's an awsome place and you just have to have your guard up, and don't read the newspaper (the crime is horrific).

Cheers

[clee4956]

anyone here plan to visit South Africa during the World Cup?

[Prawn_86]

anyone here plan to visit South Africa during the World Cup?
Would love to here from anyone that is over there for the World Cup.

How are you finding it? Where are you staying? etc etc

[buddinghealth]

I would have loved to have gone to SA for the world cup, its never been a country i've planned on visiting before but after watching the atmosphere and people on the TV its looks great - if only I had the cash and time off work!

[Eyewitness]

Hi there

For what its worth, SA is a great and interesting country to visit, like any other country in the world it has less desired areas, but keeping yourself out of it and you will have a wonderous time...

[Nothing But Adventure]

Cape town is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. The entire city is surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.

Table Top Mountain is a flat mountain that you can get up to which I definitely recommend. here you get a full 360 degree panoramic views of Capetown and it's surrounds. It also has a thin cloud line that haangs around the top of the mountain giving you the feeling of being on top of the world.

My favouritte tour/adventure here was however was cage diving with the Great Whites at Gaansbai. It was about a 2hr drive from Capetown city centre but the tour operator provided the transportation. This may be scary for some but it's a must do for anyone looking for some excitement and adventure.

Also if you are unable to get up north to the National Kruger Park then there is also a private game reserve close to Capetown called Aquilla. It still has all the animals like Lions, Zebras, Buffalo, Springbok, Osteriches, Hippo's and Rhino'. The only difference here is tthat the Lions are separated from their usual prey so unfortunately you won't see any hunting going on.

Also check out Rubben Island to visit the jail that Nelson Mandela spent many years at... you can get a ferry across from the main wharf in Capetown.

These are my recommendations for Capetown..