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Bungee Jumping: South Africa is a bungee jumping destination of note. We have the world’s highest commercial bungee jump - Bloukrans River Bridge in the Western Cape, will send you plummeting a stomach-churning 216m, definitely not for the faint-hearted traveller.
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Cage Diving: Sharks are known man-eaters and crocodiles will send shivers down the spine. Coming close to these creatures requires nerves of steel. The Cango Wildlife Ranch, in the Western Cape’s Oudtshoorn area, is the first and only crocodile cage diving facility in the whole world. If you want a close encounter with Great Whites, head for Gansbaai in the Western Cape. Cape Town’s False Bay and the Garden Route’s Mossel Bay are also popular cage diving spots.
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Hiking Trails: In the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) of KwaZulu-Natal, you will find many challenging hikes. Consider the 3 700m above sea level Underberg hiking trails of the Southern Drakensberg. In winter, temperatures plummet below zero and tranquil streams become spectacles of frozen water. The Western Cape boasts many hiking trails including the famous Table Mountain and Cederberg mountain range.
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River Rafting: Try out the famous Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, the Olifants Gorge on the Limpopo/Mpumalanga border, the Orange River in the Free State and the Breede River, which is less than two hours from Cape Town.
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Surfing: For serious surfers very few places in the world can match the super tubes of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape. Waves here can reach heights of 12 feet and the swell usually runs in the winter months. Other popular surfing spots include Nahoon Reef in the Eastern Cape Province and many other spots along the Cape Peninsula and the coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa boasts first class health resorts, wellness centres and spas. No matter what your local destination, combine your trip with a rejuvenation break at a health retreat. (Should your partner not be keen on accompanying you on a football tour, the offer of a tempting spa interlude may just tip the scales in your favour.)
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The Mangwanani African Day Spas offer true African indulgence in bush hideaways. You’ll find them within easy distance of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
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Nudging the World Heritage Site of St Lucia is the Falaza Game Park and Spa, on the Elephant Coast in KwaZulu-Natal. Commence your treatment programme with a traditional “izinyawo” cleanse (meaning foot gift) - your feet immersed in a blend of juniper, tangerine and blue mountain sage.
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Try treatments using indigenous plant extracts at The Twelve Apostles’ Sanctuary Spa in Camps Bay, Cape Town, set against a group of rocky mountain formations known as the Twelve Apostles. Also in the Western Cape is the famous Bushmans Kloof Spa & Retreat in the Cederberg area, which embraces the concept of healing through water and a range of therapeutic touch therapies such as aromatherapy and reflexology.
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Bush Spas are big in South Africa. Cool off within nature’s confines at Makanyane Safari Lodge Spa in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province, the Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Spa in the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, and Shibula Lodge and Bush Spa in the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in Limpopo.
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Cybele Forest Lodge in Mpumalanga has long been reputed as one of the country’s premier country retreats, in particular for its fine dining. The addition of a forest-spa adds a new dimension of serenity to this peaceful haven.
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If you enjoy the hydrotherapies, try out Brookdale Health Hydro in KwaZulu-Natal’s Midlands area, or the Hoogland Health Hydro which is just 50km north west of Johannesburg. Other options include the Leodus Health Hydro at Hartbeespoort Dam (about 60km from Johannesburg) and the Waterberg Bushveld Retreat Hydro in Limpopo Province.
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Various hot springs around the country are also an option; soak your cares away in natural rock pools and mineral rich waters fresh from the earth.
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If urban culture is your thing, start off with the townships of South Africa and their mixed bag of communities. Soweto is best known, but you’ll find the same vibrancy wherever you go. Take an organised tour – you’ll find them in all the big cities - and expect to encounter emotional life stories, interesting art, unpretentious local food and tons of warmth.
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Still in Johannesburg, don’t miss out on “Little India”, the areas around Fordsburg, Vrededorp and Mayfair. Shop at the Oriental Plaza and enjoy Indian curry at its best in the restaurants of the area. Durban has a large Indian community – the colourful Grey Street area is not to be missed.
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In Johannesburg you’ll find our very own version of China Town – in fact, we have two China Towns. In the newer Bruma area a number of Chinese restaurants are open for business, as well as a bona fide Chinese supermarket. However, the real China Town is to be found downtown in Commissioner Street, where some businesses have been going for over 30 years.
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Go up to the north to the Limpopo Province and follow the famous Ribolla Open Africa Art Route. This route touches every corner of the 123 900km² province stretching from Makhado (Louis Trichardt) in the West, through Elim and onto Giyani, then turns north towards Thohoyandou and back. It showcases the talent of its artists, storytellers and dancers. There are over 30 art stops on the route to spoil an art lover rotten.
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KwaZulu-Natal is the centre of what is arguably the country’s most dominant culture, the Zulus. The Durban-Eshowe-Shakaland-Ulundi route is a recommended cultural journey. Spend a night at Shakaland, a cultural Zulu village, and have these customs explained to you by an impi (Zulu warrior). The battleground of King Cetshwayo’s war against the British at Ulundi in 1878, is also worth a visit.
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Soweto Township in Johannesburg is a fantastic place to experience home grown hospitality. A place of multi-ethnic cultures and street-smart style. If you’re not in Joburg, then enquire about the many township tours in other areas of the country, and get to know us South Africans a little better.
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Sunset cruises on the coasts of Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London are a great way to end a day of football madness. Spectacular Cape Town is a particularly rewarding sight when seen from the deck of a catamaran or yacht. Harbour cruises leave from and return to the V&A Waterfront, landing you in the heart of the city’s buzz.
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Stretching from East London in the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal’s Port Edward, the Wild Coast offers some of the country’s most pristine beaches and breathtaking coastal wilderness. This region of river estuaries, mangrove swamps and interesting rock sculptures, is prime trail territory. Consider taking a hiking or horse-riding route, hosted by local communities.
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A Winelands Safari is an absolute must. Just outside Cape Town you’ll find the town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. It has a laid-back village feel and more wine estates than you can count on both hands and feet. Enjoy the magnificent views of vineyards and wine tasting tours, followed by an excellent lunch in the town or at one of the wine estate restaurants. A mere 28km from Stellenbosch is the historical town of Franschhoek, where you can learn about the impact of the French on winemaking in South Africa, and dine at some of the most famous restaurants in the Western Cape, if not the country.
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If you are travelling with your family, put our theme parks on your itinerary. The uShaka Marine World in Durban is both fun and educational. Explore the Aquarium, the Wet ‘n Wild Water Park and Sea World. If in Gauteng, go to Johannesburg’s Gold Reef City and have a fun-filled experience of early Johannesburg, in its gold rush days. You can even take an underground plunge down a mine shaft into the world of a gold miner.
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Another fun spot is Sun City, located in the North West Province (not too far from the host city of Rustenburg). Spend a few fun-filled hours at the Valley of the Waves before exploring the tons of recreational options here.
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South Africa is known for its love of music and jazz. You’ll find jazz haunts in all the big cities and even some of the smaller towns. When in Cape Town go to Jazz Castle in Ottery Road and watch a live performance, or try out Mercury Live in District Six. Other great spots include Marco’s African Place in the Bo-Kaap, and the upmarket Green Dolphin at the V&A Waterfront. In Johannesburg, Bassline and Horror Café in the Newtown precinct, are among the best jazz clubs in town.
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The lunar landscape of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is an absolute must for nature lovers. Visit the desolate Richtersveld and stay with one of the communities there, or pop into the Augrabies National Park – a great place for adventures alongside this surreal backdrop. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape is one of the largest conservation areas in Africa, and definitely a memorable place to visit. The motto of the Northern Cape is “Follow the Sun, Not the Crowds” - just right for those in search of a non-touristy adventure experience.
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Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province boasts diverse ecological areas which support a wide range of species including the Big Five, the cheetah and the wild dog. Madikwe has the distinction of being one of the few reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on grounds of the viable and sustainable use of an area.
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The *iSimangaliso (previously Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal is a World Heritage Site that has five ecosystems, including the Mkhuze savannah, crocodile-rich estuary and offshore coral reefs. For a different kind of wildlife, try the Turtle Tours which stretch from St Lucia to Kosi Bay.
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In the Western Cape, the little fishing town of Hermanus is famous for whale watching. Peak whale watching season takes place during September/October, although from July (which coincides with the 2010 World Cup), a visit to Hermanus is definitely worthwhile. The town boasts incredible scenic beauty… and you may be lucky enough to catch one of the Southern Right Whales coming in for an early visit.
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The Drakensberg Park, also in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, is a wilderness of mystical peaks, waterfalls and vistas. The region is known for its fantastic hiking trails and loads to do for those who love adventure travel – paragliding, microlighting and hot-air balloon trips are all on offer.
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For a spiritual look at nature, visit sacred Lake Fundudzi in the Venda region of the Limpopo Province. This is the country’s largest inland lake and it is home to many traditional rituals. Make sure you interact with the local people to find out more about their fascinating culture. Limpopo Province is also famous for its enormous baobab trees.
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Mpumalanga Province provides a rare view from the top, aptly called God’s Window; The Three Rondavels and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes are also features of the gorgeous Blyde River Canyon. Indeed, Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route is one of the most scenic routes in the country, and an absolute must for the nature lover...
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Did we mention Table Mountain or the fact that the Western Cape is home to one of the finest floral kingdoms in the world? Even if you’re in the Cape for just a day or two, make sure you pop into the exquisite Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Also, while in the Western Cape, remember the Garden Route is one of the most beautiful natural areas of the country, and definitely worth a visit.
*As from 1 November 2007 the iSimangaliso (previously Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park will be known as iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
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