|
South Africa is a large, diverse and incredibly beautiful country. The size of France and Spain combined, it varies from the picturesque Garden Route towns of the Western Cape to the raw stretch of subtropical coast in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It's also one of the great cultural meeting points of the African continent, a fact obscured by years of enforced racial segregation, but now manifest in the big cities. Yet South Africa is also something of an enigma; it has the best travel facilities on the African continent, but also the most difficult surface to scratch. After so long as an international pariah, the "rainbow nation" is still struggling to find its identity. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised by South Africa's excellent infrastructure , which draws favourable comparison with countries such as Australia or the United States. Good air links and bus networks, excellent roads and a growing number of first-class B&Bs and guesthouses make South Africa a perfect touring country and - with the dramatic slide of the rand in 2001 - a cheap one too for visitors. For those on a budget, rapidly mushrooming backpacker hostels and backpacker buses provide an efficient means of exploring. However, as a visitor, you'll have to make an effort to meet members of the country's African majority on equal terms. Apartheid may be dead, but its heritage continues to shape South Africa in a very physical way. The country was organized for the benefit of whites, so it's easy to get a very white-orientated experience of Africa. Nowhere is this more in evidence than in the layout of towns and cities, where African areas - often desperately poor - are usually tucked out of sight. Some visitors are surprised to discover that South Africa's population doesn't reduce simply to black and white. The country's majority group are Africans (77 percent of the population); whites make up 11 percent, followed by coloureds (9 percent) - the descendants of white settlers, slaves and Africans, who speak English and Afrikaans and comprise the majority in the Western Cape. Indians (3 percent), most of whom live in KwaZulu-Natal, came to South Africa at the beginning of the twentieth century as indentured labourers. Crime isn't the indiscriminate phenomenon that press reports suggest, but it is an issue. Really, it's a question of perspective - taking care but not becoming paranoid. Statistically, the odds of becoming a victim are highest in downtown Johannesburg, where violent crime is a daily reality. Other cities present a reduced risk - similar to, say, some parts of the United States; many country areas are safe by any standards.
Hermanus, Cape Town and South AfricaPercy Tours says "Hermanus, Cape Town, South Africa
Hermanus is a delightfully pretty seaside town, only an hour and half from Cape Town, which is sandwiched between the coastline of Walker Bay and a high mountain range afew kms inland.
Regarded by WWF as being one of the world's best locations to watch Whales it holds the annual Whale Festival at the end of September, which attracts over 100,000 eager Whale watchers. Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks and Bryde Whales are spotted, with the highest number of 172 Whales ever being viewed in one day in October 2006. (Whale watching season is from June to November each year.)
Another major attraction is Great White Shark cage diving, which is based 50 kms around the coast at Gansbaai. This is THE place in the world to do this once-in-a-lifetime activity and has attracted many famous Film Stars, Royalty and Music Stars.
Set in the Cape Floral Kingdom with its amazingly colourful and diverse plant species, collectively called Fynbos. Hiking and walking in the mountains and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve is also a high delight.
With over 70 restaurants, 3 night clubs and many cafes in the town means that you will never go hungry, thirsty or bored.
Hermanus also boasts its own Wine route in the valley called Hemel-en-Aarde, where there are 7 amazing wineries to quoff some 40 different wines.
Other activities include - Sandboarding; Quad Biking; Micro-lighting over the Whales and Walker Bay; Paragliding off the mountains; Kayaking in Walker Bay meeting Seals, Penguins, Whales and occasionally Dolphin; Horse riding into the mountains or along the long Grotto Beach; Art and Craft Markets; Boat cruises; Golf; Bird watching and a great Safari park is a short distance away so that you get your African animal fix, plus many more activities.
Accommodation establishments are very good and range from 5 star hotels, Guest Houses, Lodges, B&B's and Backpacker Hostels.
For those wanting a scenic and relaxed (or action-packed) holiday in South Africa, Hermanus has alot to offer and is certainly worth a 3 to 5 day stay.
So to explore this incredible region contact Percy Tours - www.percytours.com
" Hermanus, Cape Town and South AfricaPercy Tours says "Hermanus, Cape Town, South Africa
Hermanus is a delightfully pretty seaside town, only an hour and half from Cape Town, which is sandwiched between the coastline of Walker Bay and a high mountain range afew kms inland.
Regarded by WWF as being one of the world's best locations to watch Whales it holds the annual Whale Festival at the end of September, which attracts over 100,000 eager Whale watchers. Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks and Bryde Whales are spotted, with the highest number of 172 Whales ever being viewed in one day in October 2006. (Whale watching season is from June to November each year.)
Another major attraction is Great White Shark cage diving, which is based 50 kms around the coast at Gansbaai. This is THE place in the world to do this once-in-a-lifetime activity and has attracted many famous Film Stars, Royalty and Music Stars.
Set in the Cape Floral Kingdom with its amazingly colourful and diverse plant species, collectively called Fynbos. Hiking and walking in the mountains and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve is also a high delight.
With over 70 restaurants, 3 night clubs and many cafes in the town means that you will never go hungry, thirsty or bored.
Hermanus also boasts its own Wine route in the valley called Hemel-en-Aarde, where there are 7 amazing wineries to quoff some 40 different wines.
Other activities include - Sandboarding; Quad Biking; Micro-lighting over the Whales and Walker Bay; Paragliding off the mountains; Kayaking in Walker Bay meeting Seals, Penguins, Whales and occasionally Dolphin; Horse riding into the mountains or along the long Grotto Beach; Art and Craft Markets; Boat cruises; Golf; Bird watching and a great Safari park is a short distance away so that you get your African animal fix, plus many more activities.
Accommodation establishments are very good and range from 5 star hotels, Guest Houses, Lodges, B&B's and Backpacker Hostels.
For those wanting a scenic and relaxed (or action-packed) holiday in South Africa, Hermanus has alot to offer and is certainly worth a 3 to 5 day stay.
So to explore this incredible region contact Percy Tours - www.percytours.com
"
Your Tip for South Africa
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to South Africa - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to South Africa - visit the main South Africa forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the South Africa webguide section below! Thanks.
|
