need advice for my gapyear.
2006-10-05 08:14:52 · 14 answers · asked by alex 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
All the places named above and facts are true, South Africa is a nice place with so many nice places. Which ever place you choose don't forget to visit the museum near that place and see the pictures of Nelson Mandela
2006-10-06 11:22:35 · answer #1 · answered by Dir33 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Start in the Cape (be carefull not to get stuck there, many do not want to leave) In Cape Town there is so much to see and do. You can go see the wineland and taste wine, or go to Hermanus to see whales or Bolders bay, and sit on the beach with the penguins (who are cheeky and will steal a sandwhich if you're not watching) Be sure to see Robben island, the prison island where Mandela was held. As it starts to get cooler in autumn, move along the coast East, to Durban, or in one of the many villages near Durban. On you're migration east, you'll pass Jefreysbay (Jbay) famous for it's excellent surf, and Port Elizabeth, famous for it's friendly people.
Durban is excellent in the colder months, cause it's nice and warm there. You can go to the beach and learn to surf, or if you're lucky, it might snow on the Drakensberg (a mountain range near Durban) and you can actually go skiing in SA. Be sure to visit Shakaland, a traditional working Zulu village. The young (topless) women meet you at the entrance, singing. They show you around the village, and then the men do a warrior dance for you.
In the spring, move further East into a provence called Mpumalanga. It is near the Kruger National Park, and you can go see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) Also in the spring most of the animals will be getting babies, so this will be an exciting experiance. Be sure to take malaria tabalets when going into this region though. Finally, before Christmas you can go to Johannesburg and Pretoria, and see the Apartheid museum and many other beautiful things. Be warned, Joburg is the most dangerous of all the cities, but by the time you get there you will be very experianced in South African ways, and you should be ok.
Have fun, and make the most of SA, it's a beautiful country.
2006-10-05 16:16:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anria A 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Hi, if there's one thing where you can’t go wrong, that is visiting South Africa. It is a beautiful country, as I said a lot before; it is a country full of culture, history, colors, races, ext. If you want a country that offers you a bit of EVERYTHING you're at the right place!
Cape Town is a beautiful city, it gets lots of rain, and full of interesting people. There you get lots of fresh fruit, fish, and wine!!! Visit the V&A Waterfront, the Castle and go eat in Houtbay some divine lobster, calamari, prawn or fish (ask if they've got snoek (pronounced SNOOK). (Don't eat red meat there, Capetonians can't make red meat, (sorry Cape Town)!
I wouldn't recommend swimming in Cape Town, the water is ice cold. (But if you're brave, go for it.) (Keep in mind, the more east you go the warmer the water)
Natal (Kwazulu Natal that is), the atmosphere is much different than Cape Town, it is a great place for a holiday! Now that is eastern part of SA, there you can swim, Natal has got best waves for surfing.
The Eastern Transvaal is also very nice, there is no ocean, but the views and waterfalls are extraordinary. Be sure to visit Graskop there. (There you'll get God's Window, an awesome sightseeing and the bridal vale waterfall, to name a few.) You can also visit Pelgrimsrus, a little mining town (originating in the 1800's)! There are some caves you can visit as well.
Pretoria and Johannesburg is cities with its own vibe and culture, and here you can eat steak, yes, as Capetonians can't make red meat, people from Pretoria and Jo'burg can't make fish, lobster ext, as the Capetonians can.
Be careful Jo'burg is dangerous (in the city that is). And yes our international airport is in Johannesburg, but don't worry, it is quite far from midcity with all the crime and violence.). In Pretoria, you can always visit lots of museums, and in both cities you can visit some Townships (Pretoria: Hamanskraal and JHB: Soweto) for "shebeen crawling". That is an experience no other country can offer. Be sure to go with a tour guide if you do decide to visit a township. If you go into the wrong places you'll put yourself in danger. But no need to worry, South Africa is AWESOME!!!!!!!
People saying South Africa is SO DANGEROUS, either do not live here, or is staying in a very bad part of SA. If you walk in the cities, do not wear flashy jewelry and keep your handbags close to your body. YOU'LL BE FINE!!!
Come and enjoy your time here!
2006-10-06 03:57:27 · answer #3 · answered by poepies 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
There is so much to do here and I need to go study soon soon will leave all the details up to everyone else. One thing you have to do is see one of our local bands called "The Parlotones". They are this incredible band with a truly original sound but are commonly categorized as Indie-rock.
Some of the other great bands you have got to see are: Prime Circle, Freshly-ground: Springbok Nude Girls (or Arno Carstens) and Wonderboom. Hope you have a great time when you get here...I am sure you will love it!!!
2006-10-08 11:29:32 · answer #4 · answered by skunk_luv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Essential list:
near jo'burg
Sun City: incredible fun- ask any one who's been there is everything there
Kruger National Park: no place like it
Sandton: shoppers paradise and exquisite food
Sterkfontein: caves where the first ever humans lived
Gold Reef city: great historic theme park
Cape Town:
Table Mountain
Robben island
beaches
Durban:
Ushaka: wicked waterpark
beaches: you can see wild whales & dolphins in mshlunga rocks but quite commercial
also Port Elizabeth fantastic place
2006-10-06 13:37:38 · answer #5 · answered by SBokke 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
There are plenty nice sites here in SA. Cape town is magic as well as Kwa Zulu Natal! as with the exchange rate currently what it is, it is a relatively cheap holiday if you are coming from the US. a beer, $1, decent meal for 2 about $20. Enjoy it!!!
2006-10-05 16:16:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
we had 4 gap students with us in our matric year at school, they had a jol (big party). There is so much to do that it would take too much time to write it all down here, when you come over - make friends with the locals, trust me they will ensure that you are always busy!
2006-10-06 09:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by tay_jen1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go 2 any game reserves, George, Knysna and JHB!
2006-10-08 12:53:38 · answer #8 · answered by Blondie_13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i cant cover nearly as much info as anria and poepies so i'd just like to say that south africa is a FANTASTIC place!!! you're gonna hav such a jol (means good party time)!!! ENJOY IT!!
2006-10-06 08:07:39 · answer #9 · answered by gem 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you want a great safari, visit Kruger National Park. It is incredible!
2006-10-05 15:23:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋