People who have travelled all over the world often tell me that they have never travelled to South Africa. Have you been there and where did you go, did you enjoy the country and would you go back again?
No, but I'd really be glad to if I'd be given a chance. After all if the chance is given, who am I to refuse? I would really love to be with the nature again as we all know that South Africa isn't yet fully industrialized and that's among the few places where we can be close to nature again.
Yeah i visited once there about couple of years ago along with my uncle. It is one of most favourite travel destinations. It is one of most fabulous places and home of wild animals home. There you will also see plenty of heritage sites. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is one of best places for animal wild life enthusiasts. Have you ever been there before...??
We lived there for a year back in 2004-2005 doing volunteer construction. There were moments we just looked at each other and said, 'This can't last', because it was too beautiful. We thankfully have gotten the opportunity to go back since then 3 other times for vacation and once for a training seminar. We always travel out of Jo'burg, but some of the other places we have vacationed within the country are Kruger National Park and Cape Town. My favorite park nearest to the capital is called Pilansburg. The animals are enclosed in a dead volcanoe and so it is a smaller park than Kruger but still very much a natural environment. For a day trip, this type of park is best in my opinion because you get to see more animals. Kruger is the size of Scotland and so you need several days in order to be able to see the animals you want. The goal is to see 'the big 5', but we have only seen 4.5 lol My husband got a glimpse of a Leopard tail but it was dark and at night. The city has some dangers like any big city does. But really, its a beautiful country and the people are very talented so you can't go wrong. Most of the hotels are a higher standard than anywhere in Africa. It is the only place where you can go to see a lion in the bush, drink some local booze in a shanty town, and still catch a flick at the shopping mall. OH and the meat...don't even get me started on the meat! If you are English speaking, and coming from North America, this is probably the cheapest and best option for anyone who has a dream to go to Africa. It will be more pricey once you are there and public transport is not as easy as other parts of Africa - but if you plan well, it will be worth it!
Hy H.C Heartland....!!! Your shared info is really sufficient here. After reading it now i got enough knowledge about it. Soon i am thinking to visit there after completing my cherry blossom tour.
I've never been to South Africa myself, but I know a handful of people that are from the country. I wouldn't mind visiting, based upon what I've heard about it. Most of them like the United States better, though. There are a couple of other African countries I'd like to visit, including Tunisia. Some of the other countries are worth a visit from what I hear, too.
I also want to visit Tunisia once because i heard lot of about it. I wish i could visit there at least for once as soon as possible.
No not yet but I really wanted to go to Durban in South Africa. I have a friend who is working there and told me that the place is fantastic. Anyone of you who have been there? What is your experience?
I haven't traveled to South Africa but I plan to. My Sister has been there several times and she loves it. She said It's a great place to visit, and it's very modern in South Africa and you have the country side which is beautiful. You have wonderful beaches, mountains, clubs, casinos and more. South Africa is without a doubt on the must go list.
There are places that you can definitely connect with nature in and the good thing about Africa is that you can drive 3 hours to a mountain or you can drive 2 hours to get to nature reserves and you also have the option of the beach. So many choices!!!
We have actually just gone there for the weekend. It was really nice and we did see animals and many hippos!!!
Pilanesburg is nice but I remember driving for hours and seeing nothing until we stumbled across a waterhole where all the animals go to drink. Kruger Park we were lucky and saw 4 out of the Big 5 we never got to see leopard but an elephant was a few seconds away from our car and it began to lift its trunk and move its ears, we thought it was being friendly but it later turns out that it was getting ready to attack because we were too close. Luckily we got away but another car was trampled and turned over!! Transport is not something that we have at all!!! the meat is the best tasting in the world and cities are scary everywhere
Yes Durban is beautiful and it has the best weather in South Africa. Tropical climate and you can get from A to B without spending a fortune on a taxi.
Being from Botswana, I live right next door to South Africa; but I have never taken adequate time to explore this gorgeous country. Granted, I've been living in England for the past 13 years; so any chance I got to come home, I wanted to spend at home with family. I've only been to Jo'burg, Zeerust and Mafikeng a few times. I'm now back in Botswana, so I have no excuse. I think my first stop will be Cape Town. One of my sisters is married to a Cape Tonian so that should make it easier and cheaper for me All my Botswana friends love South Africa and are always crossing over for a weekend break or shopping spree.
I've heard a lot about South Africa. The good, the bad . . . but mostly the bad. Crime. When I visit a place I always want to visit places tourists never go so I can get the "real feel" of the country not what has been gilded to please tourists. If insecurity is as bad as the media has it, then South Africa certainly is one country whose beauty I'll vicariously enjoy only on movies, nature documentaries, etc. Nonetheless one of my best friends works for a South African company. Should I get an invitation to visit him and everything is paid for, would I say no?
To be frank, that's one of the reasons why I've not visited South Africa as much as I could. I have some cousins who seem happy to live there, and have nothing but good things to say about it. I know a few other people who have lived there and still hanker after it. They all say it's the media over sensationalising facts, as usual. They don't don't dispute there's crime, but they maintain it's no worse than anywhere else in the world. I'm told it's about knowing where to go and where not to go, and basically staying safe just as you would anywhere else. I'm still wary, so we'll just have to see. We have a wedding to attend in Cape Town in November; we'll see how that goes! Baby steps...!
Obviously to attract more eyeballs, the media must exaggerate a bit but the facts speak for themselves. What's more disturbing though is the police who are supposed to be preventing the crimes are also very much into crime. They murder and rape everyone [bit of an exaggeration] in their way. Log In "A report into crimes committed by South Africa’s police force draws a disturbing picture: dozens of officers charged for the murders, armed robberies and rapes of citizens they are sworn to protect." And worse still . . . If one must stick to "safe zones" when visiting a country then it's not worth visiting IMHO. That, most obviously will ensure you'll be safe when you visit. For an adventurous tourist though . . .
You make very valid points, DH. It's such a shame because South Africa is such a beautiful and diverse country; very similar to America in that sense. You'd need a lot of money and time to really explore it and get to appreciate it. The police attacking and killing people, specifically foreigners is a weird one for me. I mean, if the very people who're meant to protect you do that, then what hope have we got?
I have never been to South Africa. My best friend is from Kenya so I have always wanted to go because of the stories she is to tell me about Africa. Her dad used to make us deliscious South African food so I know I would enjoy the cuisine. Honestly I just love to travel and would love to see not only Kenya, but the whole world.
