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South Africa - Discover South Africa
Gold and the History of Johannesburg are intertwined. The discovery of gold in the late 1890's led to a gold rush by prospectors from all over the world to the area now known as Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng. Instead of just doing a Soweto tour - why not spend a day seeing Johannesburg and surrounds - as well as Soweto.
This is an essential trip for anyone interested in the Miracle of Transformation that is South Africa. Still, Soweto is by no means only an accumulation of tin shacks. There are also better suburbs and a number of more or less functioning social institutions like schools and hospitals. The main impression though is that of great crowding and poverty. Approximately 15 km away from the centre of Johannesburg, it comprises some 63 sq. km, where an estimated three million people live.
Cape Town has maintained a reputation for friendly hospitality. With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past - and the more functional demands of the 20th century. The city's Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its environs. Cobblestoned streets, mosques and the flat-roofed pastel homes of the Malay Quarter entrance a cosmopolitan ambience, and in a recent development, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront evokes images of the seafaring activities of the 19th century. For a closer look at life at the Cape in earlier times, interesting historical collections are on display in several museums. Cape Town 's shopping options invite you to endlessly browse - and buy. Elegant shopping malls, department stores, antique shops and galleries abound. Specialist boutiques in Long Street and the narrow little alleys intersecting it offer an enticing array of unusual articles not readily obtainable elsewhere. At the end of the day, gourmets and lovers of sophisticated entertainment have a treat in store.
Affectionately known as 'Kruger', the Park is a treasure chest of wonderment - and has something to offer everyone - child, first-timer, hardy adventurer and well-heeled traveler. The Kruger National Park is one of the most renowned wildlife reserves in the world, and the oldest in Africa - a 19,000 square kilometre park that spans 350 km from north to south, and 60 km from east to west. Nowhere else in the world will you encounter such diversity of animal and plant life. Ecosystems within the Kruger Park are highly varied. Six rivers feed the park - an area that encompasses an astonishing 16 vegetation zones including 1,980 plant species and 300 tree species. The best time to see game is during winter (April - September), as water is restricted to rivers and waterholes, where game congregates. Visibility is also good. Summer (October to March) is also lovely due to the rains - everything is lush and green, and lambs, calves and cubs abound.
As far from the dry chronicling of distant, long-forgotten events as any well-traveled voyager could hope to encounter, the history of our Kingdom offers a panorama of unforgettable experiences - a living Buzz that permeates every quarter of this spectacularly beautiful terrain where the mighty Zulu nation was forged - KWAZULU NATAL.
Preserved for future generations within our youngest World Heritage Site, vivid rock-paintings highlight the Berg mountain fastness of our western boundary, bringing to life the fascinating inner and outer worlds of the truly ancient San people who first enjoyed the bounties of this subtropical paradise. The endless golden Beach of our eastern shoreline, landmark for historic explorer Vasco da Gama and the pirates who once traversed warm Indian Ocean currents with impunity, offers shipwrecks and million-year-old fossil beds to explore, plus the opportunity to re-trace the footprints of marooned mariners who sought refuge here.
Our coastal World Heritage Site in Zululand, Lake St. Lucia, further presents the extraordinarily rare chance to encounter living fossils of the deep coelacanths. To the north lie our memory-filled and intensely atmospheric Battlefields, scenes of valor and supreme sacrifice where one can stand and reflect at the exact spots where Zulu warrior, Boer guerrilla and British redcoat fell during the epic three-way struggle of our formative epoch. Linking these compass points is the inimitable Bush, where history was made in wildlife conservation on the African continent - leading to our unsurpassable collection of game-parks and reserves and where the proud Zulu people rose in unity following migration of clans from the Great Lakes. Relive the campaigns of Africa 's Black Napoleon - King Shaka - and trace the lineage of monarchs from Colonial subjugation through the Apartheid Years to present-day democracy.
Welcome, then, to our Kingdom where East meets West in the palm of the proud Zulu people, and history speaks out at every turn.
