Professional Documents
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DK Eyewitness Travel Guide South Africa 2017
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide South Africa 2017
com
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
SOUTH
AFRICA
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EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
SOUTH
AFRICA
Main Contributors
Michael Brett, Philip Briggs,
Brian Johnson-Barker
and Mariëlle Renssen
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Contents
How to Use this Guide 6
Produced by Struik New Holland Publishing (Pty) Ltd,
Cape Town, South Africa
Managing Editor Claudia Dos Santos
Managing Art Editors Peter Bosman, Trinity Loubser-Fry
Editors Gill Gordon, Gail Jennings
Designers Simon Lewis, Mark Seabrook
Map Co-ordinator John Loubser
Production Myrna Collins
Picture Researcher Carmen Watts
Researcher Jocelyn Convery
Dorling Kindersley Limited
Editorial Director Vivien Crump Vasco da Gama
Art Director Gillian Allan
Map Co-ordinator David Pugh
Main Contributors
Introducing
Michael Brett, Philip Briggs, Brian Johnson-Barker, Mariëlle Renssen South Africa
Photographers
Shaen Adey, Roger de la Harpe, Walter Knirr Discovering
Illustrators South Africa 10
Bruce Beyer, Annette Busse, Bruno de Robillard,
Steven Felmore, Noel McCully, Dave Snook
Putting South Africa
Printed and bound in China
on the Map 18
First American Edition, 1999
17 18 19 20 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
A Portrait of
Reprinted with revisions 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, South Africa 22
2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
Copyright © 1999, 2017 Dorling Kindersley Limited, London
A Penguin Random House Company
South Africa
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part
Through the Year 40
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, The History of
recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright
owner and the above publisher of this book.
South Africa 46
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
ISSN 1542-1554 Wild South Africa
ISBN 978 1 4654 6131 5
Floors are referred to throughout in
The Safari Experience
accordance with European usage; ie the “first floor” 64
is the floor above ground level.
Habitats at a Glance 72
Field Guide 74
Front cover main image: An African leopard relaxing in a tree Crafts at Greenmarket Square, Cape Town
Giraffe and plains zebras drinking from a water hole in Kruger National Park
Cape Town
Introducing
Cape Town 120
Shopping in
A male leopard patrols his territory at Londolozi Game Reserve
Cape Town 166
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6 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
opening with a list of the sights around Kloof and Long streets. the Blue Lodge on Long Street.
Sights at a Glance
of the city.
described. The Further Afield Museums and Galleries
2 Iziko Slave Lodge
4 District Six Museum
8 Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
Parks and Gardens
9 Table Mountain pp136–7
Historic Buildings
1
7 Iziko Koopmans-De Wet House
Museum
places of interest. All sights are Area Map For easy reference,
w Iziko South African
Museum and
Planetarium
Churches
HELEN
BOULSEUZMAN
sights are numbered and
located on a map. City centre
CH VARD
3 ANC
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0 metres 750
0 yards 750
Museums and Galleries, The compact city centre lends itself to walking, because V&A
WATERFRONT
The towering bronzed-
glass façade of this city
most of its major sights are easily accessible. Cape Town is hotel is a landmark. The
dissected by a number of thoroughfares, one of which is views from the top floors
Historic Buildings, etc. the city, is lined with many historically significant buildings.
One block west of here, towards Signal Hill, is Long Street.
Locator Map
See Street Finder, map 5
St George’s Mall
Some beautiful examples of elaborate Victorian buildings
A bustling pedestrian area, St George's Mall is
with balconies and intricate ironwork – now housing shops, H
O full of street entertainers, shops and cafés
bars and hostels – can be seen along this street. U
T
ST
R
EE ST
T RA
N
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ST
2
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ET
Street-by-Street Map
C
A
ST
SH LE
O
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EE
Foreshore
ST
ET
ST
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RE H
LO
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sightseeing area.
G
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0 metres 100
R
RE
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LI
B
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E
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ST T
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Parade
S
T
L
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D
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. Long Street A
LE
This well-preserved historic street is ST
lined with elegant Victorian buildings R
EE
complete with graceful, delicate T Standard Bank
wrought-iron balconies. Britannia is seated on the dome, high
B above the four-columned portico.
U
R
EA The foundation stone of the building
Government was laid in 1880.
U
Avenue ST
R
EE
T
Groote Kerk
128 CAPE TOWN THE CITY BOWL 129 Only the original steeple remains of
South Africa’s oldest church. Completed
2. Iziko Slave Lodge in 1703, it was rebuilt around 1840. The
The exhibits at this museum illustrate carved pulpit, dating to 1789, is the work
thestreamed
history ofto
the site, the second- Key
By 1807, new premises from the Dutch Reformed Church in people the of sculptor Anton Anreith and carpenter
which to administer the Cape Cape Town from 1864–71. Grandoldest colonial
Parade buildingthe
to celebrate in Cape Town. Suggested route Jan Jacob Graaff.
Colony were needed, and release of the country's future
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and pp398–9
the Slave Lodge suited most R Groote Kerk president. Today the City Hall is
requirements. Many slave 43 Adderley St. Map 5 B2. Tel 021 422 home to the Cape Philharmonic
inhabitants of the lodge were 0569. Open 10am–2pm Mon–Fri. Ring Orchestra, which regularly
sold, while others were moved ahead for a free guided tour. performs here.
to the west wing of the
building. The vacated area was
turned into offices. In 1811, the 3 Grand Parade 4District Six
west wing was also converted.
The people responsible for
and City Hall Museum
the conversion were the Darling St. Map 5 C2. 25a Buitenkant St. Map 5 B2.
builder Herman Schutte, the The Grand Parade was the site Tel 021 466 7200. Open 9am–4pm
The Old Town House, where the Iziko Michaelis Collection is kept
sculptor Anton Anreith and the
architect Louis Michel Thibault.
As well as government offices,
van Riebeeck selected for his first Mon–Sat. & 8 -
fort in 1652. The structure was
levelled in 1674 when the Castle
∑ districtsix.co.za
in the area.
on the Grand Parade
Greenmarket Square. Map 5 B1. collection, the gallery has a extended into Adderley Street, As buildings went up around the the area “white”, under the Group
Tel 021 481 3933. Open 10am–5pm series of temporary exhibitions but this portion had to be Across the road from the Slave perimeter, greengrocers Areas Act of 1950. Removals
Mon–Sat. Closed 1 May, 25 Dec. & demolished when the road Lodge is the Groote Kerk (big
that have been designed to established fruit stalls, precursors began in 1968, and by 1982,
∑ iziko.org.za
appeal to both locals and was widened. However, the church). Soon after their arrival of today’s flea market, which more than 60,000 people had
Located in the Old Town House, visitors alike. original façade, designed by at the Cape, the Dutch held operates from Monday to been forcibly uprooted from their
this national monument was After hours, the gallery Thibault, has been restored to religious services on board Friday. The site is now used homes and relocated 25 km (16
built in 1755 in the Cape Rococo becomes a cultural centre, its former splendour. Jan van Riebeeck’s ship, both as a car park and as a miles) away onto the barren
style. It initially served as the hosting chamber-music Iziko Museums of Cape Town Drommedaris. Later, they venue for popular events. plains of the Cape Flats.
3
“Burgherwacht Huys” (house of concerts and lectures. has transformed the Slave used a small room at Overlooking the Grand The District Six Museum was
the night patrol) and the Lodge into a major site that Castle Good Hope. Parade is Cape Town’s launched in 1994 to comme-
magistrate’s court; in 1839, it was
claimed as a town hall by the
newly formed municipality.
2 Iziko Slave
Lodge
increases public awareness
of slavery, cultural
diversity and the
However, they soon
saw the need for a
permanent site. A first,
imposing City Hall. Built
in 1905 in the elaborate
Italian Renaissance style,
morate the events of the
apartheid era and preserve the
memory of District Six as it was
Detailed Information
All the sights in Cape Town
After renovations in 1915, the Cnr Wale & Adderley sts.
struggle for human temporary structure at it presents its elegant before the removals. It does this
building was handed over Map 5 B2. Tel 021 467 rights in South the northeast end of façades on four different through a fascinating collection
to the Union Government 7229. Open 10am–5pm Africa. The history the Company’s Garden streets. A 39-bell carillon that includes historical documents,
for use as an art gallery. Mon–Sat. Closed 1 May, of slavery at the was replaced by a tower was added in photographs, audio-visual
1
before the discovery of gold and today South Africa’s
la
Villa Nora
and places of interest include museums dedicated to the city’s
gold-mining past as well as the apartheid struggle. Pretoria is Lephalale
Marken
shown on the inside front cover.
Mat
motorway, and today the two cities are almost joined up by the Groesbeek
s
Spanwerk Mokolo
burgeoning development that surrounds them on the Highveld. Dam
Mokamole Tinmyne
To the northwest, Sun City and Pilanesberg Game Reserve lie Rooibosbult
Sterk
Hermanusdorings
2
next to each other and are nearly always visited together.
ico LIMPOPO Mokopane
Mar
glip
Han
od
Maricosdraai ge
rber
ile
Vanalphensvlei Haakdoring
Wate
NORTH WEST
Coalville to Rustenberg, from where it is
Klerkskraal GOLD JOHANNESBURG
Sights at a Glance Deelpan
Biesiesvlei Coligny
REEF CITY MPUMALANGA 50 km (31 miles) northwest on the
R565 to the entrance of Sun City.
Carletonville Germiston
the region.
1 Johannesburg Madibogo Ventersdorp Kriel
SOWETO Devon
2 Soweto Sannieshof Gerdau Nigel
Kinross Bethal
3 Gold Reef City pp318–9 Harts Daleside
Davel
Fochville Heidelberg
Kuruman Evander
4 Sandton and Rosebank Delareyville
Brakspriut
6 Pretoria Hartbeesfontein Vereeniging Balfour Ermelo
Potchefstroom Charl Cilliers
7 Sun City Ottosdal Greylingstad
Sasolburg Morgenzon
Palace of the Lost City Klerksdorp Va Dasville Bettiesdam
Renosterspruit al
pp328–9 Orkney Parys val
Vaal Dam
Water
8 Pilanesberg Game Reserve Vierfontein Oranjeville
Va
al
Frankfort
e
Bloemfontein
Key
Harrismith
Story boxes explore specific
Motorway
Main road
Main railway
Minor railway
0 kilometres
0 miles 25
50
subjects further.
Minor road International border
Untarred road Provincial border
Scenic route Summit
The Union Buildings, the seat of parliament in Pretoria
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10 For keys to symbols see back flap
326 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA GAUTENG AND SUN CITY 327
3
Game Reserve are a popular safari
this, visitors cross the Bridge
option. Drifting in total silence over the
are listed in order, following 014 552 1261; Johannesburg and that the complex could and music concerts at The Pilanesberg is also home three-hours’ drive northwest
not cope with the the Superbowl, a Road map D2. Follow signs from to a number of birds, notably a of Gauteng and two hours
Cape Town. @ Sun International
influx of visitors, man-made lake Sun City on R565, or take the variety of raptors. Cape vultures from Sun City. The reserve
Central Reservations, 011 780 7855;
and a further two for parasailing, Mogwase turnoff from R510. nest on the steep cliffs of the was established in 1991
tour buses from Johannesburg and
information on major
independent “republic” of the same year, the Valley of the resort is Kwena Gardens, area is raised above the plain. and pleasant camp sites. elephant herd from drought-
Bophuthatswana, where Waves was constructed below home to more than 7,000 Nile The decision to establish a stricken southeast Zimbabwe.
gambling, officially banned in the hotel and a second golf crocodiles that can be seen reserve here was economic: to Today, giraffe, plains zebra,
South Africa at the time, was course added to the complex. from elevated walkways. benefit the local people, and to greater kudu, springbok,
Cheetah Fountain
This superb bronze sculpture shows impalas,
frozen in flight from the feared predator.
0 metres
0 yards
20
25
. Central Fresco
The fresco that adorns the
dome of the reception area
measures 16 m (52 ft) in
diameter and took 5,000
hours to complete.
4 South Africa’s Top Sights The
historic buildings are dissected
to reveal their interiors; national
Pilanesberg Village Wall KEY
Lost City Golf
Course Clubhouse Baobab Forest
The
Palace
Sun City Complex
1 Grand Pool
2 Temple of Courage
1 Buffalo Wing
2 King’s Tower
parks have maps showing
facilities and trails. The most
Hotel
3 Adventure Mountain 3 Desert Suite and
Sway Bridge 4 Valley of the Waves Presidential Suites
5 Bridge of Time
Hidden Cave Falls 4 Queen’s Tower
Rainforest Lake of 6 Entertainment Centre
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INTRODUCING
SOUTH AFRICA
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10 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
DISCOVERING
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is a vast country, with an tours described on the pages that follow are
unusually varied set of tourist attractions. designed to explore one specific region of
These include some of Africa’s finest game interest. To start is a 2-day tour of Cape Town
reserves, a coastline studded with idyllic and a 10-day exploration of the surrounding
beaches, the two world-class cities of Cape Western Cape. These are followed by a pair of
Town and Johannesburg, and a wealth of week-long itineraries for the popular Garden
historic small towns, scenic mountain ranges Route and the Kruger National Park. Finally, a
and sumptuous wine estates. As such, it is 2-day Johannesburg experience is followed by
advisable not to cram too much into your a 21-day “grand tour”, from Cape Town to
stay, or you risk spending most of it behind Johannesburg, taking in highlights of all
the wheel. Bearing this in mind, most of the of the above – and much more.
10 Days in the
Western Cape Boschendal
Cape Estate
Get close to sharks, Town Franschhoek
Kirstenbosch
•
•
Drive out in search of rhinos, Atlantic
both black and white, Ocean
among the rolling green
hills of the Hluhluwe- Addo Elephant
Garden National Park
Imfolozi Game Reserve. Route map Oudtshoorn
Stellenbosch George
•
Get a taste of traditional
Cape Knysna Plettenberg Bay
Zulu culture, brought Town
thrillingly to life at the Western
Shakaland village. Cape map
•
Spice up your life at the 0 km 200
aromatic Victoria Street Key 0 miles 200
Market in Durban – Africa’s 10 Days in the Western Cape
most Indian-influenced city.
21-Day Grand Tour
•
Keep your shutter button
7 Days in Mpumalanga
busy with the photogenic Escarpment and the
pachyderms of Addo Kruger National Park
Elephant National Park. 7 Days on the
Garden Route
DISCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA 11
7 Days in Mpumalanga
Escarpment and the
Kruger National Park
•
Travel back through time at
Pilgrim’s Rest, a restored
gold-mining village dating
to the 19th century.
•
Gaze across the immense
Blyde River Canyon to the
iconic Three Rondavels
rock formation.
One of the stars of the safari, a leopard resting on a tree branch •
Get into the safari spirit
spotting lions, leopards,
rhinos and other wild animals
Limpopo in the Kruger National Park.
•
Be charmed by elephants
coming to drink at the river
below Olifants Camp.
Mpumlanaga Escarpment and
the Kruger National Park map
Blyde River
Canyon
le
Ca
ge
Oran
Indian
Ocean
7 Days on the
Garden Route
Grahamstown •
Take a boat from Mossel Bay
0 kilometres 50
to Seal Island with its
Cango Caves captivating Cape fur seals.
0 miles 50
Olifants •
Explore the limestone
Oudtshoorn
formations lurking in the
depths of the Cango Caves
Kouga
•
Enjoy salty-fresh oysters
Diepwalle Storms with a sundowner on
Forest Nature's River
George Valley Mouth
Knysna’s pretty waterfront.
Knysna
Wilderness Plettenberg Bay
•
Cross the spectacular
Featherbed Robberg
suspension bridge that
Nature Reserve
Mossel Bay Nature spans the cliff-enclosed
Reserve
Storms River Mouth.
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12 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Rose garden and vineyards on the Haute Cabrière Estate, which lies on the Franschhoek wine route
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14 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Day 2: Oudtshoorn
A scenic hour’s drive inland
from Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn
(see p232) is best-known as the
centre of the Karoo’s century-
old ostrich farming industry.
Head to the out-of-town High-
gate or Safari Ostrich Show
Farms (see p233) to learn more
about the world’s largest bird,
and visit the central CP Nel
Museum (see p233) to explore
the history of the booming
Victorian ostrich-feather
industry on which the town
became rich. Afterwards, drive Extraordinary rock formations in the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn
For practical information on travelling around South Africa, see pp436–441
DISCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA 15
7 Days in
Mpumalanga
Escarpment and the
Kruger National Park
Africa’s finest do-it-yourself
safari destination is
twinned on this trip with the
spectacularly scenic vistas
and waterfalls of the
mountainous escarpment
rising to its west.
•
Arriving Domestic flights
connect Johannesburg with
the towns of Nelspruit,
Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa
Iron-rich rock creates stunning polychromatic effects at Blyde River Canyon
on the edge of the Kruger, as
well as Skukuza and several
Continue north to the running south from Lower Sabie
more minor airstrips in the
spectacular Bourke’s Luck is famed for its excellent rhino-
park environs. Alternatively,
Potholes (see p337) and Three spotting opportunities.
it’s an easy 4–5 hour drive
Rondavels (see p337), the latter
from Johannesburg to
being the most spectacular of Days 5–6: Central Kruger
Pilgrim’s Rest or the southern
several viewpoints across the Less dense with tourist traffic
Kruger, but a more daunting
Blyde River Canyon, and best than the south, the Central
6–7 hours back from Phala-
seen in the afternoon with the Kruger (see p344) still offers
borwa and the northern
sun behind you. great game-viewing, typically
reaches of the park.
in more open habitats than the
•
Transport Self-drive is ideal. Days 3–4: Southern Kruger north. Ideally spend your first
Either drive across from Allocate two nights to the part night in Satara Camp (see
Johannesburg, or book a of the Kruger National Park p343), which lies in an area of
rental car to pick up at one (see pp340–44) south of the relatively open grassland where
of the local airports. Many Sabie River, ideally using either cheetahs and lions are often
organized, guided tours to the largest camp, Skukuza (see observed, along with large
the Kruger are available but p342), or Lower Sabie (see p342– mixed herds of wildebeest
you will need to stick to the 3) (arguably the best, location- and zebra.
prescribed itinerary. There wise) as a base for game drives. The next day, continue
is no public transport in These are always slightly hit-or- north to Olifants Camp (see
the park. miss, but the H4-1 (see p343) p343), which has a superb
connecting Skukuza to Lower clifftop setting overlooking
Sabie is the busiest in the park the Olifants River, an area
Day 1: Pilgrim’s Rest for good reason (lions, leopards known for its plentiful tuskers
Drive east from Johannesburg, and elephants are often seen and large herds of buffalo.
taking a lunch break at the here), while the main road On Day 7, be sure to allow at
sleepy highland village of least 4 hours’ driving time to
Dullstroom (see p334), famed exit the park at Phalaborwa
for its fresh trout, then moving Gate in order to fly out of
on to the restored 19th-century Phalaborwa in the afternoon.
gold-mining village of Pilgrim’s
Rest (see p336). The historic sites To extend your trip…
scattered around this hilly With a couple more days to
village provide a great oppor- spare, you could pad out
tunity to stretch your legs after your time in Kruger with an
the drive. extra night at each of Satara
and Olifants, or (budget
Day 2: Waterfalls Tour and permitting) treat yourself to
Blyde River Canyon an all-inclusive stay at a
Spend the morning exploring private reserve (see p345).
some of the pretty waterfalls With at least five extra days,
that comprise the so-called you could head all the way
Waterfalls Tour (see p335), first north to the genuinely off-
driving south from Pilgrim’s Rest the-beaten-track Punda
to Sabie, then back north to the The African buffalo, often spotted in the Maria Camp (see p344).
small town of Graskop for lunch. Kruger National Park
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16 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
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18 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Za
m
be
the Map
The southernmost country on the African continent, South
Africa is roughly five times the size of Britain. It covers an area
of 1,223,201 sq km (472,156 sq miles), and has a population of
around 55 million. The sovereign kingdom of Lesotho lies within
Okavango
its borders. The Atlantic, which washes its western shores, and Delta
the Indian Ocean, which laps the East Coast, meet at Cape
Agulhas, Africa’s most southerly tip. To the north of South Africa
lie the neighbouring states of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Lake Ngami
Swaziland and Mozambique.
B O T S WA N A
O k aw a
Rock Windhoek
Bay
Walvis Bay
Conception
Bay
ish
F
Meob
Bay
N A M I B I A
NORTH WEST
Fish
Keetmanshoop
Lüderitz
Key
Motorway
Va a l
O ra n g e
an
International boundary
Provincial boundary Grootvloer
Verneuk Pan
S O U T H
Middelburg
Fis h
Atlantic Beaufort
West
Ocean St Helena Bay
Su
nd
WESTERN a
Saldanha Bay
CAPE
ys
Table Bay
Oudtshoorn
Worcester
Cape Town George
Simon’s Town Somerset Mossel Bay
False West St Sebastian
Bay Arniston Bay
0 kilometres 200
0 miles 100
ZAMBIA Tete
Karoi
Lake Bindura
Victoria
Falls Kariba Chinhoyi Morrumbala
Livingstone
Za m Harare
bezi
Kadoma
ZIMBABWE
Mutare
Gweru
Makgadikgadi
Pans Masvingo
Bulawayo Beira
S ave
Sowa Pan
Sha
sha Save
n
i
Mabote
Serowe Limpopo
Musina
MOZAMBIQUE
Li
mp
LIMPOPO PROVINCE
opo
op
L im p
Polokwane Inhambane
Gaborone
MPUMALANGA Xai-Xai
Pretoria
Mmabatho Mbombela
(Nelspruit)
Johannesburg Maputo
Soweto Germiston Mbabane
GAUTENG Lus
utfu
Klerksdorp
SWAZILAND
al Vaal
Va
Dam
Phon Pongolapoort
Welkom
Kroonstad go l o Dam
Indian
Bethlehem KWAZULU-
NATAL
Lake
St Lucia
Ocean
FREE STATE Ladysmith
Bloemfontein Tu
Katse g
Dam e
Maseru
la
Pietermaritzburg
LESOTHO Durban
e Amanzimtoti TUNISIA
a ng MOROCCO
Or
ALGERIA LIBYA
A F R I C A
EGYPT
MAURITANIA
EASTERN Mthatha MALI NIGER
SENEGAL SUDAN ERITREA
CAPE BURKINA
CHAD
Cradock GUINEA FASO
NIGERIA SOUTH
SIERRA CENTRAL
LEONE AFRICAN SUDAN ETHIOPIA
Somerset East LIBERIA CAMEROON REPUBLIC
UGANDA SOMALIA
King William’s Town IVORY GHANA CONGO
COAST TOGO GABON
KENYA
DEMOCRATIC
BENIN
East London REPUBLIC
OF CONGO TANZANIA I n d i a n
Grahamstown Ocean
ANGOLA MALAWI
Atlantic ZAMBIA
Port Ocean
Elizabeth MADAGASCAR
NAMIBIA ZIMBABWE
BOTSWANA MOZAMBIQUE
SOUTH
AFRICA
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20 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Keetmanshoop
R31 1
R3
R3
80
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Kuruman
4
N1
N A M I B I A
R3
60
N10
R386
Or
Upington
an g
Augrabies Falls N8
Campbell
e
N8
R2
Alexander
Orange
7
Bay R3
85
2
R38 14 N1
Port Nolloth N 0
NORTHERN CAPE Prieska
355 Springbok
Kleinsee R Grootvloer
Verneuk Pan
R27
N7
84
Riet se R3 De Aar
Swartkolkvloer
Vloer
2
N1
R63 N1
Calvinia
Atlantic
Fish
R27
Nieu
Ocean Karoo Bethesda
National Park
R364 R3
Lambert’s Bay Clanwilliam 54
Graaff-Reinet
Cederberg Beaufort
West Camdeboo
N7
Sutherland
Citrusdal National Park
R3
3
St Helena Bay
2
N12
R399
N9
R30
3
Saldanha Bay
Langebaan WESTERN CAPE Prince Albert
Darling Tulbagh
West Coast N1 Cango Caves Cango R33
National Park Malmesbury R32 Wildlife Ranch 2
3 Oudtshoorn
Worcester N9
Paarl Robertson
Table Bay Montagu George Knysna Tsitsikamma
Stellenbosch
Cape Town Riversdale
Sedgefield
Somerset West Plettenberg
N2 Swellendam
Mossel Bay Bay
Simon’s Town Kleinmond
Hermanus De Hoop
Betty’s Bay Bredasdorp Nature Reserve
Gansbaai Arniston
Cape Agulhas
ZIMBABWE
R572
Limpopo
Musina
MO Z AMBI Q UE
2
R57
B O T S WA N A R524
R521
Louis Trichardt
10
R5
N1
LIMPOPO Kruger
Lephalale National Park
po
Tzaneen
Polokwane
L i m po
R71
R5
17
BaPhalaborwa
Mokopane
Private
N1
Blyde River Reserves
R35
R579
Modimolle Canyon
R510
N11
Sun City
Dullstroom Mbombela
Rustenburg (Nelspruit)
N4
N4
Mmabatho
Pretoria
R505
R571
Sandton R38
8 Lichtenburg
N1 Johannesburg MPUMALANGA
Soweto Gold Reef City N1 N17 Mbabane
NORTH WEST 7
GAUTENG
Potchefstroom Secunda Ermelo
N 14 Vereeniging
Vryburg Klerksdorp SWAZILAND
R3 Vaal R2 Piet Retief Big Bend
4 Dam
2
3
N1
4
N3
l Kroonstad Reserve
a Phinda Private
Va Welkom Warden Newcastle
Vryheid
Game Reserve
KWAZULU-
N1
Warrenton Isimangaliso
Virginia Bethlehem NATAL Wetland Park
Harrismith
Battlefields Tour R6
Clarens 18 Lake St Lucia
N5 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Golden Gate Ladysmith Game Reserve
Kimberley F R E E S TAT E St Lucia
N2
N8 Maseru
ela
Ukhahlamba-
Katse Drakensberg Kamberg
KwaDukuza
6
Dam
R2
Park
Pietermaritzburg Ballito
LESOTHO
N6
N3
on
N1
Pinetown Durban
ed
Mohales Hoek
al
C
Amanzimtoti
R3
R56
R701 ge
6
69
R5
Or a n
N2
Scottburgh
Gariep
Dam Aliwal North Kokstad
Colesberg
Port Shepstone
R6 Margate
1
93
R3 Port Edward
Middelburg
Cala Lusikisiki
Indian
Mthatha
EASTERN
R61
CAPE Ocean
Queenstown
Cradock
st
N2
Mountain Zebra N6
o
R6 National Park
C
3
King d
il LIMPOPO,
N10
Somerset William’s
Town W MPUMALANGA
East & KRUGER
Shamwari
Game East London GAUTENG
Reserve AND SUN CITY
Addo Elephant
National Park Grahamstown
NORTH OF
Uitenhage Port Alfred THE ORANGE
DURBAN AND
Alexandria ZULULAND
N2 Port WILD COAST,
Elizabeth WEST
DRAKENSBERG
SOUTH OF & MIDLANDS
COAST THE ORANGE
CAPE
WINELANDS
GARDEN ROUTE
CAPE TOWN TO GRAHAMSTOWN
0 kilometres 200 SOUTHERN
CAPE
0 miles 100
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A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 23
A PORTRAIT OF
SOUTH AFRICA
Blue skies, fabulous beaches, game parks, wilderness areas, and the promise
of a sun-drenched holiday are what attract most visitors to South Africa. Then
there are its cosmopolitan and fast-paced cities, intriguing mix of friendly
peoples and cultures, and its compelling museums and historic sites. In short,
it is an inspiring and fascinating place to explore, and the choice of
destinations, activities and itineraries is virtually inexhaustible.
South Africa, roughly the size of Spain and buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and
France combined, encompasses an rhinoceros – while the wetlands and
astonishing diversity of environments: marine reserves along the East Coast teem
from the dramatic arid moonscapes with sea creatures and colourful birds,
of the northwest to the forest-fringed great and small, that are often overlooked.
coastline of the Garden Route; from And then there are the beaches –
the flat, dry Karoo interior to the craggy favourite holiday destination of the locals
Drakensberg in the east; and from the and perfect for boardsailing, swimming,
manicured vineyards of the Cape to the surfing, angling, or simply relaxing in
spring flower fields of Namaqualand. the sun.
South Africa is the only country in South Africa has no fewer than 11 official
the world that can lay claim to an languages and numerous ethnicities and
entire floral kingdom within its borders. religions, but its people have experienced
Centred on a small area in the Western a great sense of reconciliation since the
Cape, fynbos (literally “fine-leaved bush”) end of apartheid. Today, the South African
comprises a unique mixture of proteas, nation is a conglomeration of beliefs,
ericas and grasses. The many wildlife parks traditions, and heritages living within a
further north are home to the “Big Five” – country of breathtaking natural wonders.
Acacia trees survive along the parched fringes of the Kalahari Desert
Carved wooden masks from the Western Cape
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24 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Groote Schuur Hospital, where the world’s first successful heart transplant was carried out in 1967
The modern South African state began majority of South Africans struggled
as a halfway station. Dutch traders of the to fulfil their most basic needs: food,
17th century, on long sea voyages to shelter and education.
their colonies in the East, replenished Then, in the 1970s and 1980s, the nation
their stores at the Cape. A fertile land, went through a period of tense upheaval
South Africa is still largely self-reliant and protest from the majority non-white
today, compelled to become so as a population, who demanded change.
result of the long period of international The struggle against apartheid began
political isolation that resulted from its in earnest on 16 June 1976, when the
former policy of racial discrimination youth of Soweto marched against being
known as apartheid (apartness). taught in the medium of Afrikaans. Police
South Africa became a world producer of fired on them, precipitating a massive
gold and petroleum. Impressive advances flood of violence that overwhelmed the
were made in communication, weapons country. Finally, in 1989, the log jam
technology and mining, but apartheid started to break up. Negotiations had
stood in the way of harmony and been entered into with the imprisoned
economic growth. In the late 1960s, Nelson Mandela, and F W de Klerk became
while the world’s first human heart president. This led to democratic elections
transplant was performed at Groote in 1994 and the final demise of the
Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, the apartheid government.
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26 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Towards Democracy
The best point from which to chart the
Sindiwe Magona is the author of several books about her life as a
black South African woman end of apartheid is President F W de Klerk’s
unbanning of the African National
In the cities, although the tunes are much Congress (ANC), along with the
influenced by popular North American Communist Party and
music, jazz, soul, kwela (characterized Pan-Africanist Congress
by the piercing sound of the penny (PAC). On 11 February
whistle), kwaito (transient pop), 1990, ANC leader Nelson
rock and reggae all have a Mandela was released from
strong local flavour. the Victor Verster Prison near
The white Afrikaner’s cultural Paarl. He had been imprisoned
heritage, accumulated over centuries since 1963.
of isolation from the European Amid escalating violence,
motherland, today embraces a powerful negotiations began for a peaceful
body of prose and poetry (see pp32–3), transition to democracy. Finally, on
and a distinctive musical tradition. 27 April 1994, all South Africans
Afrikaans songs tend to be nostalgic, voted. The ANC secured 63 per
often evoking gentler times. By Cape cent, and Nelson Mandela became
contrast, the black African music is minstrel the first black president of the
lively, distinguished by bouncy “New South Africa”. The new
melodies and cheerful, racy constitution, approved in May 1996,
lyrics that belie the sadness and has arguably the most enlightened Bill
indignities of the past. of Rights in the world, outlawing
During the dark years of apartheid, discrimination on the grounds of ethnic
oppression and suffering offered
ready-made source material for
the arts, but contemporary writers
have moved away from racial
introspection towards more
universal themes.
Most South Africans are
passionate about sport. The Rugby
World Cup, which was held in
Johannesburg and other cities in
1995 and won by a jubilant South
Africa, probably did more than
anything else to unite the nation,
and poignant images of then
president Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s rugby team celebrates its World Cup victory in 2007
A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 27
or social origin, religion, gender, sexual president to Mbeki in 1999 and again in
orientation and language. Yet, many 2004, and once alleged corruption charges
citizens still live very close to poverty and, against him were dismissed, Zuma was
despite the country’s wealth of natural able to stand as the country’s president in
resources, advanced technology and the 2009 elections. He and the ruling ANC
sophisticated infrastructure, the gap won again in general elections in 2014.
between South Africa’s privileged and its Nelson Mandela died in
poor is still noticeably wide. Nevertheless Johannesburg in December
the government is 2013 at the age of 95.
implementing Tributes flooded in from
continuous programmes throughout the world,
for improving housing, and South Africa held an
transport and other emotional ten-day period of
services, and overall, even mourning in which memorial
poorer South Africans South Africa’s children had a special place services took place in stadiums,
enjoy a far better standard in “Madiba’s” heart and books of condolence were
of living than most people signed across the country. His
in African countries to the north. funeral was held at his ancestral home of
Qunu in the Eastern Cape. Thousands of
After Mandela mourners lined the streets as the military
The ANC has remained in power since transported Mandela’s casket on a gun
1994. Nelson Mandela passed the carriage, and his peaceful burial was
mantle of power as president of the ANC attended by family, friends and dignitaries.
over to his long-time deputy Thabo
Mbeki in 1999. Mbeki was president
of the country from the 1999
elections until his resignation in
2008 over allegations that he
interfered in the corruption case
against Jacob Zuma. He was
replaced by ”caretaker’” president
Kgalema Motlanthe, who headed
the state until the 2009 elections.
A member of the ANC since 1959,
Jacob Zuma was elected deputy A bold mural in Johannesburg portrays the multicultural nation
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28 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Bay
sin
Saldanha
Bay
Table Bay
West Coast rock lobster, Cape Town
important to the region’s
Fals
Cape Agulhas
The southernmost point of
the African continent is not
Cape Point, but unassuming
Cape Agulhas on the rocky east
side of the windswept, shallow
Danger Point headland. The
Memorial plaque Portuguese word agulhas, from Various dolphin species
at Cape Agulhas which the Cape gets its name, can be seen frolicking in the
means “needles”. It was here warm currents off towns such
as Durban and Margate. They Kosi Bay
that early navigators discovered that the compass
needle was not affected by magnetic deviation, but usually occur in groups of
pointed true north. A plaque is set into the rock, and 10 to 15 individuals.
markers give the distances to international cities. iSimangaliso
Wetland Park
It is most likely to be
Na
Algoa Bay
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30 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Semi-Desert
In southern Africa, true desert is
confined to the Namib. The semi-
desert Great Karoo region covers
about one-third of South Africa. Its
flora has evolved to withstand aridity Succulent
and extreme temperatures. Many
succulents, including the aloes, mesembryanthemums,
euphorbias and stapelias, store water in their thick
leaves or roots. The seeds of daisy-like ephemeral plants
may lie dormant for years, only to germinate and flower
briefly when the conditions are favourable (see pp220–
21). Trees tend to grow along seasonal river courses.
Temperate Forest
Dense evergreen forests thrive in the high-
rainfall area around Knysna (see pp244–5).
They produce lovely rare hardwoods such as
stinkwood and yellowwood, two types that
also occur along the subtropical coastal belt of
KwaZulu-Natal. Knysna’s temperate
forests have a characteristic
undergrowth of shrubs,
ferns, fungi, and creepers
such as the wispy “old
man’s beard”. Mature trees
may reach a height of
60 m (195 ft), with a girth Forest fungus
of 7 m (23 ft).
A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 31
Bushveld
Large tracts of the interior are covered with tall grasses
and low trees, most of them deciduous, fineleaved
and thorny. The Kruger National Park (see pp340–45)
is an excellent example of several transitional types
occurring between sparse shrub and savannah; here
shrubs grow densely and larger tree types include
marula, mopane and baobab. The many acacia
species are characterized by podbearing
trees and shrubs with clusters of
small, goldenyellow flowers.
High Mountain
Mountain flora, zoned according to altitude and
increasing severity of the environment, rises from
dense heath to mixed scrub and grasses. A
relatively small subalpine belt, 2,800 m (9,000 ft)
above sea level, is confined to the Drakensberg
region (see pp274–5). Characteristic flowering
plants here are helichrysum (“everlastings”),
sedges and ericas. In many areas, annuals
make brief, colourful spring appearances.
Among the proteas growing in this region
is the rare snow protea on the high peaks
Watsonia of the Cederberg (see pp218–19).
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32 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Afrikaans Literature
The Dutch spoken by the
colonial authorities formed the
basis of a local tongue that
became known as Afrikaans, or
simply die taal (the language).
Efforts to translate the Bible
into Afrikaans led to a vigorous
campaign to have the
language formally recognized.
A direct result of these tireless
efforts was the publication of
Painting by Credo Mutwa, taken from the book African Proverbs almost 100 books before 1900.
The descriptive prose and
Mofolo’s Chaka (1925) in Ses lyrical poetry of literary greats
Traditional African otho, BW Vilakazi’s Noma Nini such as Gustav Preller, C J
Stories (1935) in isiZulu, and Sol Plaat Langenhoven, D F Malherbe
Many African communities jie’s Mhudi (1930) in Setswana. and Totius (Jacob Daniël du
have an oral tradition of English publications of Toit), who delighted in the use
stories, genealogies, proverbs traditional African tales, novels of their new language, helped
and riddles that have been and poetry include Indaba My to establish Afrikaans as the
passed down from generation Children and African Proverbs lingua franca. Later writers such
to generation. by Credo Mutwa (1964). as P G du Plessis and Etienne
Izibongo, simplistically Le Roux placed Afrikaans
translated as praise songs, literature in a wider
are very complex oral pre context, while Adam Small
sentations delivered by a and Breyten Breytenbach
skilled performer known as used it as a form of polit
mbongi. This rhythmic form ical and social protest
of poetry uses exalted against the white Afrikaner
language, rich in metaphor establishment.
and parallelisms. At Nelson “Afrikanerisms”, delib
Mandela’s inauguration, erate use of Afrikaans
two izibongo were words and sentence
performed in isiXhosa. construction when
Among the best written writing in English, is a
works are Samuel Mqhayi’s literary device used in
historic Ityala Lamawele Pauline Smith’s The
(Lawsuit of the Twins) (1914) Beadle, and in Herman
and A Jordan’s Ingqumbo Charles Bosman’s
Yeminyanya (The Wrath of humorous short story
the Ancestors) (1940), both Actor Patrick Mynhardt in a dramatization of Herman A Cask of Jerepigo (1991).
in isiXhosa, and Thomas Charles Bosman’s A Cask of Jerepigo Both works describe the
A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 33
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34 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Georgian Architecture
Modest examples of 18th-century The neighbourhood of Artificers’
Georgian-style architecture, with Square in Grahamstown also has
plain front pediments and flat roofs, fine examples. Here, the houses
survive along the narrow, cobbled display typical many-paned, sliding
streets of Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap, or sash windows, plain parapets and
“Malay Quarter”. a fanlight above the entrance.
The roof is protected by slate tiles.
The chimney was designed Geometric brick detail
to complement the house.
Victorian Architecture
The romantic Victorian style with its decorative cast-iron detail, brass
fittings and stained-glass windows became extremely popular,
especially in Cape Town, around the turn of the 19th century. Here,
too, terrace housing, pioneered in 18th-century England by the
Adam Brothers, provided affordable housing for a burgeoning
middle class. Fine examples may be seen in suburbs such as
Woodstock, Observatory, Mowbray and Wynberg. Broekie lace detail, Prince Albert
Ornamental gable
Cast-iron decorations were
called broekie lace, because A corrugated
they resembled the lacy edging iron awning
of ladies’ undergarments. covers the
verandah.
Oom Samie se Winkel (see
p196), in Stellenbosch, displays Cast-iron
a marked Cape Dutch influ- supports
ence. The porch encouraged hold up the
the store’s patrons to linger. awning.
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36 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
The Bantu-Speakers
The Bantu languages are
indigenous to Africa, although
not related to those of the
Khoi. Each group has its own
complex system of cultures
and relationships, although
Westernized culture is
replacing many of the older,
traditional ways. Cattle and The Wartburger Hof Hotel in KwaZulu-
cattle pens (kraals) have an Natal looks like an alpine lodge
important place in Zulu, Xhosa
and Ndebele cultures, and Zulu
handicrafts include works in The European Colonists
earthenware, iron and wood. The first European settlers, in
Very few San still hunt and live in the Basket-making and weaving 1652, were Dutch and German.
traditional way are other skills. The Xhosa, European politics further
most of whom live in the affected the composition of
Eastern Cape, are known for the Cape population, when
The Khoi their beautifully designed and French Huguenots were settled
Khoi rock paintings, often executed beadwork. The here from 1688, and French
found in caves overlooking the Ndebele of the Limpopo and German regiments were
plains below, offer tantalizing Province and Gauteng are periodically brought in to
evidence of the practical skills renowned for their remarkably boost the local defences
and the spiritual nature of the colourful and intricate against Britain. The British,
people who were almost beadwork, and their decorative however, took permanent
certainly South Africa’s original painting applied to buildings is possession of the Cape in 1806
human inhabitants (see particularly eye-catching. and, during the depression
Drakensberg, pp274–5 and
Kagga Kamma, p218.) Many
were hunter-gatherers, living
lightly on the natural bounty
of the land.
Under pressure from more
material cultures, some Khoi
withdrew inland, where their
descendants, the San (once
widely called the Bushmen, a
term not used today), are still
found in the Northern Cape.
Other Khoi eventually threw
in their lot with the Dutch
settlers. Many of today’s Cape
Coloured people are
descended from them. Xhosa women in the Eastern Cape
A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 37
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38 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Cricket
South Africa has long been
a major force in the world of
cricket. Played during the
summer months, cricket is a
sport enjoyed by thousands
of players and spectators at
various levels, from club and
provincial competitions to
international test matches.
Development programmes
have discovered great talent
among the youth of once-
disadvantaged communities.
Football attracts spectators from all sectors of South African society Four-day provincial games
and the more popular one-
day matches are held, while
Football Rugby Union five-day tests are contested
Football is played all over South Rugby is played at all levels – between South Africa and
Africa, in dusty township streets from school to regional visiting national teams.
and in the elite professional club, and from provincial One-day and day/night
clubs. Except for the hottest to national stage. limited-overs international
summer months (Dec–Feb), it is Teams from the 14 provincial and provincial matches are
played year-round. The most unions contest the Currie Cup particularly popular, usually
popular clubs attract huge every season. These 14 unions playing to packed stands.
spectator and fan followings, supply players to the five The demand for tickets
and can easily fill 80,000-seat regional teams that fight for to these games is high, and
stadiums for top matches. The victory in the Super 15, an advance booking is available
Premier Football League, made international and regional through Computicket outlets
up of 16 clubs, is the top level tournament involving South countrywide, or from the cricket
football league in South Africa. Africa, as well as Australia union hosting the match.
The national football team, and New Zealand.
known as Bafana Bafana,
returned to the world stage in
1992 after years of being
banned from FIFA during
apartheid. Initially it did well in
the African Cup of Nations,
winning the contest in 1995 and
reaching the finals in 1998. In
2010, South Africa became the
first African nation to host the
FIFA World Cup. However,
despite the tournament being a
great success for South Africa,
Bafana Bafana failed to progress
beyond the first round. Rugby games attract crowds of up to 50,000 to the provincial stadiums
A PORTRAIT OF SOUTH AFRICA 39
Equestrian Sports
Horse racing, until recently
the only legal form of gambling
in the country, has been an
enormous industry for many
years. The “Met” (Metropolitan
Stakes), held in Cape Town in
January, and the Durban July
are major social events, with
fashion and high stakes the
order of the day. Show jumping
and horse trials attract crowds
The Two Oceans Marathon takes place on Easter Saturday every spring to venues such as
Inanda near Johannesburg.
Two popular local events are
Marathons and the South African Open, held
Ultra-Marathons in January, and the Alfred
Long-distance running is both a Dunhill PGA, held in December.
popular pastime and a serious
national sport. The strenuous
56-km (35-mile) Two Oceans Cycling
Marathon, which takes place Apart from various local
around the Cape Peninsula on professional events, the Cape
Easter Saturday, and the energy- Peninsula hosts the largest
sapping 85-km (53-mile) long timed cycle race in the world,
Comrades Marathon, run the annual Cape Argus Pick ‘n
between the KwaZulu-Natal Pay Cycle Tour. Over 35,000
cities of Durban and Pieter- enthusiasts, some costumed, The Cape 2 Rio race leaves Table Bay
maritzburg in June, and are race or trundle 105 km (65 miles) with huge fanfare
two of the most difficult, yet around the Peninsula on the
popular, ultra-marathons in second Sunday in March. About
the country. Both events attract one-third of the contestants Water Sports
thousands of international are from overseas. The Cape Flanked by two oceans, South
and local entrants. Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge Africa enjoys a climate that
With its excellent training is run in the same week on a allows for water sports all year.
facilities and fine summer Stellenbosch wine estate. Other Surfing is very popular; the
weather, South Africa is a popular races include the Absa Mr Price Pro surfing event, held
popular place for European Cape Epic, an 8-day mountain in Ballito in July, is a major draw.
athletes to train during the bike stage race held in the Cape Town is a popular port of
winter months in Europe – Western Cape, usually in March. call for round-the-world yacht
especially at high-altitude Covering more than 700 km races, and is also the starting
venues in the country’s interior. (435 miles), it attracts amateurs point for the Cape 2 Rio event
and professionals, in teams of that takes place early in January
two, from around the world. every three years.
Golf
South Africa boasts some of the
finest golf courses in the world,
and has also produced some of
the world’s finest golfers. The
golfing prowess of Gary Player is
legendary, while Ernie Els and
Trevor Immelman rank among
the top golfers in the world.
Each December, Sun City hosts
the Nedbank Golf Challenge
(see p41), where 12 contestants
compete for the largest prize in
the world – 1.25 million dollars.
The South African Golf Tour
attracts professional golfers
from around the globe. Sun City’s Golf Course hosts the Nedbank Golf Challenge
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40 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
November
Cherry Festival (third
week in Nov), Ficksburg.
Celebrates South Africa’s
commercially-grown
cherries and asparagus.
National Choir Festival
(Nov–Dec), Inkosi Albert
Luthuli International
Convention Centre, Durban
(see pp286–9). The culmination
The Oude Libertas open-air amphitheatre of a national competition.
SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH THE YEAR 41
Summer
Most tourists visit South Africa
during the long summer
months. The local long school
holidays extend from
December well into January.
With many South African
families traditionally heading
for the seaside and wildlife
reserves, this is when the roads
are at their busiest. Summer
is a season spent outdoors.
Christmas lunch is more likely
to be celebrated around an
informal braai (barbecue) than The fiercely contested Dusi Canoe Marathon, Pietermaritzburg
at a dining table. Over much
of the country, summer rain January Dusi Canoe Marathon (second
arrives in the form of short, Maynardville Open-Air week in Feb), Pietermaritzburg
noisy thunder showers. Theatre (Jan–Feb), Wynberg, (see pp280–81). This gruelling
Cape Town (see p171). three-day canoe marathon
Shakespeare and ballet in a to the mouth of the Umgeni
city park. River attracts more than
Oude Libertas Arts Programme 2,000 participants.
(Jan–Mar), Stellenbosch (see Up the Creek (Feb), Breede
pp196–7). Performances in an River, near Swellendam (see
elegant amphitheatre. pp230–31). A four-day music
Kaapse Klopse (2 Jan), Cape festival with events on three
Town. A colourful musical stages set up on the banks of
and minstrel procession that the Breede River.
culminates in concerts at Cape Cape Town Pride (last weekend
Town Stadium. in Feb), Cape Town. Colourful
J&B Metropolitan Handicap floats and a parade along
(last Sat in Jan), Kenilworth Somerset Road in Green Point
Race Course, Cape Town. South culminate in a street party in De
Africa’s major horse-racing meet Waterkant at this gay event.
is equally popular for its fashion Prickly Pear Festival (Feb–Mar),
and social activities. Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth (see
pp250–53). A celebration of
February traditional South African food,
Crowds at a concert in Cape Town FNB Dance Umbrella such as braais, potjiekos (stews
(Feb–Mar), Braamfontein, made in three-legged, cast-iron
December Johannesburg (see pp314–5). pots), ginger beer and bunny
Carols by Candlelight One of South Africa’s most chow (curry served in a half-loaf
(pre-Christmas). Advent important dance events. of bread).
celebrations in the botanical
gardens of the large cities.
Somerset West Festival of
Lights (Dec), Somerset West.
Main Street display of festive
lights combined with an
evening Christmas market.
Kirstenbosch Summer
Concerts, (every Sun, Dec–Mar)
Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden, Cape Town
(see pp164–5). Picnic on the
lawns to music from rock and
jazz to classical and opera.
Nedbank Golf Challenge,
Sun City (see p326). An
internationally renowned
golfing event with 12 of
the world’s best golfers. Cape Town’s minstrels are a colourful sight in early January
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42 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Autumn
When deciduous trees and
grapevines begin to shed their
leaves, a new round of country
fairs is ushered in. The harvest
festivals of many small towns
celebrate crops such as potatoes
and olives – even sheep and
gems are cause for cheerful get-
togethers. A number of wine
festivals are held, from Paarl in
the fertile Western Cape to Kuru-
man in the arid Northern Cape.
March More than a million followers of the Zionist Church gather at Easter
Cape Town Carnival (second
weekend in Mar), Cape Town. April Two Oceans Marathon
Rio-style carnival with parades Zionist Church gathering (Easter), Cape Town. This 56-km
of colourful floats, music and (Easter), near Polokwane (35-mile) marathon (see p39)
street parties. (formerly Pietersburg, see p338) around the Cape Peninsula
Rand Show (Mar–Apr), in the Limpopo Province. More is a qualifying race for the
Johannesburg (see pp314–15). than a million followers of Comrades’ Marathon.
What began as an agricultural this African Christian Klein Karoo Arts
show has become a blend of church gather at Festival (Apr),
entertainment and consumerism. Moria (also known Oudtshoorn
Lambert’s Bay Kreeffees (Mar), as Zion City) (see p232). A
Lambert’s Bay (see pp214–15). over the Easter mainly Afrikaans
Kreef is Afrikaans for crayfish, weekend; it is cultural festival.
and fees means both festival the largest Prince Albert
and feast. Stalls sell West Christian Olive, Food
Coast seafood, and there are gathering in & Wine
also live bands. South Africa. Festival (Apr),
Cape Town International Jazz Fire-walking Prince Albert
Festival (late Mar), Cape Town (Easter), Umbilo (see p231). Live
(see pp124–47). A two-day affair Hindu Temple, music, a cycle race,
featuring nearly 40 international Durban. Devout and an olive-stone
and African acts performing on Hindus, after careful Devotee at a Hindu temple spitting competition,
five stages. The musical extra- spiritual prepara- plus plenty of food
vaganza is accompanied by tion, walk uninjured across and wine tasting.
photographic and art shows. a bed of red-hot coals. Splashy Fen Music Festival
(last weekend in Apr), Splashy
Fen Farm, Underberg, Kwa-
Zulu-Natal. A popular festival
with performances in main-
stream, alternative, folk and
traditional music styles.
Pink Loerie Mardi Gras
(Apr–May), Knysna (see p244).
A four-day gay festival,
with charity-led events,
exhibitions and food stalls.
May
Calitzdorp Port and Wine
Festival (May), Karoo (see p234).
A celebration of the region’s
famous port-style wine.
Franschhoek Literary Festival
(third weekend in May), Fransch-
hoek (see p204–5). A community
library fund-raising showcase
for the best local talent, as well
Amusement park at the Rand Show in Johannesburg as international authors.
SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH THE YEAR 43
Winter
This is the dry season for most
of the country; only the winter
rainfall area along the south-
western and Southern Cape
coast is lush and green at this
time. Inland, days are typically
warm, although nightly frosts
are common in high-lying areas.
Snowfall occurs on the
mountains of the Western
and Eastern Cape and in the
KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho Safari wildlife-viewing drive at Sabi Sabi, Mpumalanga
highlands. Late winter is
particularly good for game- international drama, film, dance, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
watching, as the thirsty wildlife visual arts and music. (third weekend in Jul), Cape Town.
gathers around waterholes. July Handicap (first Sat in Jul), Awash with glamour, this intro-
Greyville Race Course, Durban duces the spring and
June (see pp286–9). This is summer collections
Comrades Marathon (mid- the glamour event of South Africa’s
Jun), between Durban and of the Durban top designers.
Pietermaritzburg. This horse-racing
ultra-long-distance fraternity. August
running event attracts Knysna Oyster Standard Bank Joy of
top-class runners from Festival (early Jul), Knysna oyster Jazz (Aug), Johannesburg
all over the world Knysna (see (see pp314–15). Jazz
(see p39). p244–5). The festival, festival with local and
centred on the international acts.
July commercial oyster Hantam Vleisfees,
Dullstroom beds in Knysna (last weekend in Aug), Calvinia.
Winter Lagoon, coincides with Located in the Northern Cape,
Festival (first a forest marathon. Calvinia is sheep country.
weekend in Berg River Canoe This festival is a celebration
Jul), Dullstroom Marathon (Jul), Paarl (see of lamb in all its forms: stewed,
(see p334). A pp206–7). This strenuous curried or grilled. The three-
delightful Christ- four-day canoe race day event also offers music
mas-in-winter provides some high concerts, a vintage car rally,
themed event with High fashion, July excitement. It is staged and the glittering Miss
restaurant evenings, Handicap annually when the river Vleisfees competition.
chocolate, whisky and is in full flood. Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival
wine tasting, and a trout The Ballito Pro Presented by (Aug), Northam/Limpopo,
fly-fishing competition. Billabong (see pp264–5) (mid- north of Sun City. Alternative
National Arts Festival (early to Jul), Ballito (see p296). This popular rock festival.
mid-Jul), Grahamstown (see week-long surfing championship
pp256–7). An extremely popular attracts the world’s best surfers Public Holidays
two weeks of local and and hordes of spectators.
New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
Human Rights Day (21 Mar)
Good Friday (Apr)
Family Day (Apr)
Freedom Day (27 Apr)
Workers’ Day (1 May)
Youth Day (16 Jun)
National Women’s Day
(9 Aug)
Heritage Day (24 Sep)
Day of Reconciliation
(16 Dec)
Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Day of Goodwill (26 Dec)
Performers at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown
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44 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
higher plateau areas. Rainfall increases from west to east. 10 9.5 10.5 11
The most popular time of year to visit South Africa is hrs hrs hrs hrs
°C 32
24 26
0 kilometres 200 18 16
10 10
0 miles 100
4
8 8 10 11
hrs hrs hrs hrs
20 9 21 35
mm mm mm mm
month Apr Jul Oct Jan
Upington
°C 30 Average monthly
25 24 maximum temperature
17.5 16
13 11 Average monthly
7 minimum
Beaufort West
9 8 10 11
temperature
hrs hrs hrs hrs Average daily hours
Langebaan
13 21 11 5 of sunshine
Average monthly Worcester
mm mm mm mm
Knysna
month Apr Jul Oct Jan rainfall Cape Town Stellenbosch
Riversdale Mossel
Bay
°C 26 °C 31 °C 28
23 21 25 25
24 23
17.5 16 18 16.5 19 16
12 10.5 13 11 12 11
7 6
7.5
8 6 9 11 7 6 9 11 6 6 6.5 8
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
41 82 30 15 47 90 40 18 53 34 48 27
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan
SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH THE YEAR 45
LIMPOPO,
MPUMALANGA
GAUTENG AND
AND KRUGER
SUN CITY
°C
28.5 26.5
°C 27 29
24 27 23 19
19 17.5 14 14
12 14 6
5 7 8.5 7 7
°C 28
Bethlehem
26 24
Kimberley 23 21
17
Estcourt Richard's Bay
Bloemfontein 17 10.5
MASERU
LESOTHO
Durban 7 7 5 6
hrs hrs hrs hrs
Graaff-Reinet Queenstown
°C 28
Port Elizabeth 22 22 24.5
14.3
8 9.5
-1
THE GARDEN ROUTE WILD COAST, 8 9 8 9
TO GRAHAMSTOWN DRAKENSBERG AND hrs hrs hrs hrs
MIDLANDS 50 11 85 120
°C °C 27 mm mm mm mm
25.5 22.5
23 21.5
month Apr Jul Oct Jan
20 21 18 16.5 13
14 13 7 8
9
-2
7.5 7 7.5 8.5 7.5 8 9 8.5
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
58 47 59 36 58 7 83 96
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan
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INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA 47
THE HISTORY
OF SOUTH AFRICA
The ancient footprints discovered at the bay and then further inland as Dutch
Langebaan, casts of which are now in “burghers” sought new land. Isolated
the South African Museum in Cape Town, clashes with indigenous groups escalated
were made 117,000 years ago. They are into the bitter frontier wars of the 18th
the world’s oldest traces of anatomically and 19th centuries, a situation further
modern man, Homo sapiens sapiens. Other aggravated by the arrival of the 1820
early hominid remains found at the British settlers. Although outnumbered,
Sterkfontein caves in Gauteng and at Taung the settlers’ muskets, cannons and horses
near Bloemfontein belong to the group were an advantage that led to a prevailing
known as Australopithecus africanus. sense of white supremacy, with both
African and European civilizations colonial and republican governments
drifted towards a cultural collision when denying people of colour their rights.
the Dutch East India Company set up a Ironically, it was the exploitation of
refreshment station in Table Bay. The year black labour in the mines of Kimberley
was 1652, and the colonizers had come and Johannesburg that ignited the
not just to visit, but to stay. On the whole, spark of African nationalism, while the
the Dutch sought to establish amicable segregation and, later, apartheid laws
relationships with the local Khoi, but of the mid-20th century focused world
the inability to understand one another attention and pressure on South Africa.
doomed many attempts, and the pattern The release of Nelson Mandela in 1990
of relations over the subsequent centuries was the beginning of a transformation
was set. Rivalry over water and grazing that set the country on a new course:
soon turned into open hostility, first around the road to democracy.
This surprisingly accurate map was produced in 1570 by Abraham Ortelius from Antwerp
Ancient San paintings adorn many rock walls like this one in the Cederberg, Western Cape
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48 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
0 miles 100
Australopithecus Africanus
In 1925, Professor Raymond Dart,
then dean of the University of the
Witwatersrand’s medical faculty, first
identified man’s ancestor based on
the evidence of a skull found near
Taung, North West Province.
Langebaan Footprints
Homo sapiens tracks at
Langebaan Lagoon are
around 117,000 years
old. They are the world’s
oldest fossilized trail of
anatomically modern
human beings.
Cradle of Humankind
Based on the evidence of fossilized remains from
Karoo Fossils the Sterkfontein caves (see p322) and other sites in
Diictodon skeletons found in the Karoo (see p360) South and East Africa, palaeontologists believe that
belonged to mammal-like reptiles that tunnelled humans evolved in Africa. Stone tools and bone
into the mud along river banks some 255 million fragments indicate that modern humans lived and
years ago. hunted in South Africa some 110,000 years ago.
c. 35,000 BC
c. 117,000 BC Start of Late Stone
c. 3,000,000 BC Age; man uses Spear
Early modern
Australopithecus africanus man settlement refined tools and head
lives in central South Africa at Langebaan weapons
Lydenburg Heads
Seven clay heads found
near Lydenburg (see
p334) in Mpumalanga
date back to AD 700.
Experts believe they
were used in rituals. The Cave Museum is an open-
air San rock art site in the Giant’s
Castle reserve (see pp274–5).
Rock Paintings
South Africa is a
rich storehouse of
prehistoric art. Some
paintings are thought
to date back 10,000 The Sudwala Caves (see p334)
years, while others were feature an interesting timeline
painted as little as display on the evolution of man.
200 years ago.
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50 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
even more Khoi away from their ancestral land. Cape Colony 1795
Dutch flag
Superior Weaponry
Matchlock rifles secured
the settlers’ advantage over The French
the clubs and throwing Huguenots
spears of the Khoi, and the Fleeing from
bows and poisoned arrows religious
used by the San. persecution in
France, about
200 Huguenots
arrived at the
Almond Hedge Cape of Good
A remnant of the hedge that was Hope in 1688.
planted to discourage unauthorized They were
trading with the Khoi can be seen assigned farms around
at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Franschhoek (see pp204–5), where
Garden (see pp164–5). they planted vineyards.
Maria de la Quellerie
1652 Jan van Riebeeck 1693 Sheik Yusuf is exiled to the Cape
1594 Portuguese and his wife, Maria de after instigating a rebellion in Java. His
barter with Khoi in la Quellerie, arrive in kramat (shrine) near Faure (Western Cape)
Table Bay Table Bay is revered by Muslims
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52 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
British Colonization
By 1778, settler expansion had reached the Eastern Cape and
the Great Fish River was proclaimed the eastern boundary of
the Cape Colony. As this was Xhosa territory, local herdsmen
were deprived of their pastures and a century of bitter “frontier
wars” ensued. In 1795, following the French Revolution, British
forces were able to occupy the Cape. Having returned it to the
Netherlands in 1802, they reclaimed it in 1806 and instituted a Settler Expansion
government-sponsored programme that assigned farms in the 1814 Cape today
Zuurveld area to British settlers. To the east, Shaka Zulu was
just beginning to build a powerful empire.
Blockhouse
Battle of Muizenberg (1795) ruins
In this battle for possession of the
Cape, British warships bombarded
Dutch outposts at Muizenberg (see
p157). Britain was victorious and
thus acquired a halfway station
en route to India.
Fort Frederick
In the 19th century, many private
homes were fortified, and a
succession of outposts and frontier
forts were built in the Eastern Cape.
Few were attacked; almost all are
now in ruin. Fort Frederick in Port
Elizabeth (see pp250–53) has been
restored and is a superb example of what
these frontier fortifications looked like.
Grave of Captain
Francis Evatt, who
oversaw the landing of
the 1820 Settlers.
Rustenburg House
After the battle of Muizenberg, the Dutch
surrendered the Cape to Britain. The treaty
was signed in this house in Rondebosch,
Cape Town. Its present Neo-Classical façade
probably dates from around 1803.
Where to See
British Colonization
The museums in Mthatha
(the capital of the former
Transkei) and the University
Battle of Blaauwberg (1806) of Fort Hare in Alice (in the
This battle between the Dutch and the British was fought at the foot former Ciskei) have interesting
of the Blouberg, out of range of British warships. Outnumbered and collections of colonial artifacts.
poorly disciplined, the Dutch defenders soon broke rank and fled. Old weapons and ammunition,
uniforms, maps, and even
letters and medical supplies
are displayed in the Military
The 1820 Settlers
Museum at the Castle of Good
About 4,000 Britons,
Hope in Cape Town (pp130–31).
mostly artisans with little or
The museums in King William’s
no farming experience,
settled around Grahams Town, Queens town and
town (see pp256–7). Grahamstown (pp256–7)
exhibit collections of frontier
war memorabilia. The excellent
Museum Africa in Johannes
burg (p314) has a superb
The Powder Magazine collection of old prints
could hold some 900 kg and paintings.
(2,000 lb) of gunpowder.
Entrance
Shaka Zulu
This gifted military
The Xhosa strategist became Zulu
The Xhosa had farmed in chief after the death of
the Zuurveld (present Dingiswayo in 1817. Shaka
Eastern Cape) for cen introduced the assegaai
turies. The arrival of the (short spear) and
1820 Settlers caused united lesser clans
friction and dispute. into a Zulu empire.
1795 Battle 1800 The Cape 1806 Battle of Typical settler house 1829 The Khoina
of Muizen Town Gazette Blaauwberg. are released from
berg and and African Second British 1818 Shaka’s 1820 4,000 British having to carry passes.
first British Advertiser are occupation of military conquests settlers arrive in The University of Cape
occupation first published the Cape in Zululand begin Grahamstown Town is founded
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54 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Colonial Expansion
The British colonial administration met with hostility from the
Cape’s Dutch-speaking community. Dissatisfied Voortrekkers
(Boer pioneers) headed east and north in an exodus that
became known as the Great Trek. In 1838, Zulu chief Dingane
had one group of Voortrekkers killed, but in the subsequent
Battle of Blood River his own warriors were beaten. A short-
lived Boer republic, Natalia, was annexed by Britain in 1843. Voortrekker Movement
By 1857, two new Boer states, Transvaal and Orange Free 1836 Great Trek
State, landlocked and impoverished but independent, had British territory by 1848
been consolidated north of the Orange and Vaal rivers.
Water barrel
Nongqawuse
In 1857, a Xhosa prophetess predicted The Kat River Rebellion
that her people would regain their Khoina settlers on the Kat River in the Cape
former power if they destroyed had fought for the government without
all their herds and crops, but compensation, but rebelled in the Eighth
the resulting famine further Fronter War of 1850. With their defeat, their
weakened their position. land passed to white ownership.
1854 Britain
withdraws
1846 Seventh 1850 Eighth Frontier War, from the 1856 British and German settlers placed on
Frontier War (War in which the Kat River Orange River Eastern Cape border; the Colony of Natal is
of the Axe) Khoina join the Xhosa Sovereignty granted a representative government
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56 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Gold Fever
Finds of alluvial gold at
Pilgrim’s Rest (see p336)
and Barberton preceded
the 1886 discovery of
Johannesburg’s
Main Reef.
Leander Jameson
(1853–1917)
After the discovery of
the Transvaal gold reefs,
Jameson masterminded
a failed revolt intended
to topple President
Paul Kruger of the
Transvaal Republic.
British casualties
were high; only a
handful of men Re-created saloon-style bar at the Big
escaped alive.
Hole: Kimberley Mine Museum.
Battle of Isandhlwana
Modern Warfare
In an effort to subjugate the fiercely The South African War (1899–1902) was the first war
independent Zulu, British officials fought with high-velocity rifles and mechanical
provoked several incidents. In 1879, transport. Although the Boers were good shots and
a 1,200-strong British and colonial horsemen and could live off the land, limited
force was annihilated by 20,000 Zulu manpower, as well as the loose and informal
warriors at Isandhlwana Hill. structure of their armies, counted against them.
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58 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
SWAZILAND
colony within the British Commonwealth. The future of black Orange
Natal
Free
South Africans was largely left undecided, leading to the State LESOTHO
founding of the South African Native National Congress (later Cape Province
Delville Wood
One of the most
vicious battles of
World War I was
fought at Delville
Wood, in France. For
five days, 3,000 South
African soldiers held
out against the
German line.
African Nationalism
Drum, first published in the
1950s, was important for
black journalists. Not afraid to Museum Africa in Johannesburg
criticize the white regime, they shows the living conditions in a
rekindled African Nationalism. township like Sophiatown.
Apartheid’s Architects
Dutch-born Hendrik Verwoerd
(1901–66), prime minister from
1958 until his assassination,
and Charles Robberts Swart
(1894–1982), the minister of District Six, “the life and soul of
justice, implemented many Cape Town”, was declared a white
apartheid measures. area in 1966.
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60 INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRICA
Kwaito – Sound of
a New Generation
Boom Shaka was a
pioneering kwaito group
that emerged in the
1990s. A uniquely South
African sound, kwaito was
born in the townships of
Gauteng. The lyrics are
influenced by toyi-toyi
(protest) chants.
Free at Last
Independent Electoral On 11 February 1990, after almost
Commission monitor three decades in custody, Nelson
Mandela emerged from the Victor
Verster prison near Paarl. The high-
profile event was watched by
millions around the world.
1994 ANC wins the 1995 South 1998 Truth and Reconciliation
country’s first Africa hosts Commission hearings begin 2004 The ruling party,
democratic election. and wins the ANC, wins a landslide 2010 South Africa hosts the
Nelson Mandela Rugby World election, taking 70 per Football World Cup
becomes president Cup 1999 Second cent of the votes
democratic election
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
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WILD SOUTH AFRICA 65
A Swahili word that means journey, the (see pp76–7). Ticking them off the list is
term “safari” came into popular usage in considered a rite of passage. Certainly
the early 20th century to describe the there are few experiences more thrilling
trophy-hunting expeditions popularized than the sight of a herd of elephants
by the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, marching peacefully across the savannah
Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen. By or of a leopard lying in a tree, but safari
the late 1960s, these gun-toting safaris should never become limited to an
had largely become a thing of the past, obsessive quest for a quintet of select
as a combination of factors – dwindling beasts. With more than 300 protected
wildlife numbers, increased conservation areas to choose from, South Africa has
awareness and the greater international plenty to keep wildlife lovers occupied for
mobility offered by jet travel – ushered in months, if not years. Its many and diverse
the era of the photographic safari. Today, nature reserves range from the hippo- and
tourists arrive in Africa not with guns but crocodile-filled estuaries of iSimangaliso
with cameras, and the modern safari Wetland Park and the towering peaks of
industry is able to accommodate them the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, to the red
in a variety of ways, from simple camp dunes and dry riverbeds of the remote
sites and government rest camps to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, home to
exclusive, eco-friendly tented camps and gemsbok and springbok. Further south,
lodges of the private reserves. Table Mountain National Park protects a
One surviving legacy of the colonial host of endemic species unique to South
hunting era is the notion of the “Big Five” – Africa, such as Cape mountain zebra
lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo and bontebok.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Arranging a safari is a fairly straightforward easy to book everything online – the South
procedure. The biggest hurdles at the African National Parks (SANParks) website
planning stage will be choosing between (see p71) is extremely user-friendly. For
a self-drive adventure or an organized safari the less adventurous, there are plenty of
and deciding which reserves to visit – with reputable tour operators in South Africa
the diversity of South Africa’s national parks and elsewhere to offer specialist guidance
and wildlife reserves, visitors are spoiled for and to set transport and accommodation
choice. If opting for the DIY approach, it is arrangements in place (see p71).
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68 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Whale-watching
Swimming pool
Picnic sites
Shops
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70 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
A floral feast for the eyes at Namaqua National Park, the Arid Interior region
T H E S A FA R I E X P E R I E N C E 71
DIRECTORY
Tours ∑ sanparks.org uKhahlamba- The Western and
Madikwe Game
Drakensberg Park Southern Cape
African Sky N3 via Mooi River or
Tel 27 12 809 1632. Reserve Addo Elephant
Harrismith and Estcourt.
∑ africansky.com
70 km (43 miles) N of National Park
Tel 033 845 1000.
Zeerust on R49. N2 from Port Elizabeth,
Expert Africa (UK) ∑ kznwildlife.com
Tel 071 687 2782. then R335.
Tel (020) 8232-9777. ∑ madikwe-game- Tel 042 233 8600.
∑ expertafrica.com reserve.co.za
The Arid Interior
∑ sanparks.org
Intrepid Travel Pilanesberg Game lAi-lAis/Richtersveld Bontebok National
(Australia) Reserve Transfrontier Park Park
Tel (1300) 797-010. 57 km (35 miles) N of From Springbok, N7 to Off N2.
∑ intrepidtravel.com Rustenburg on R510. Steinkopf, Port Nolloth & Tel 028 514 2735.
Tel 014 555 1600. Alexander Bay; gravel ∑ sanparks.org
Southern Africa
∑ parksnorthwest. road to Sendelingsdrift.
Tourism Services De Hoop Nature
co.za/pilanesberg Tel 027 831 1506.
Association (SATSA) Reserve
∑ sanparks.org
Tel 086 127 2872. Suikerbosrand 56 km (35 miles) E of
∑ satsa.co.za Nature Reserve Augrabies Falls Bredasdorp on dirt road.
Outside Heidelberg. National Park Tel 028 542 1114.
Planning Your Trip Tel 011 439 6300. N14, 120 km (74 miles) W ∑ capenature.co.za
of Upington.
CapeNature Garden Route
Tel 021 483 0190. The East Coast Tel 054 452 9200.
National Park
∑ capenature.co.za
and Interior ∑ sanparks.org
(Tsitsikamma;
Ezemvelo KZN Golden Gate Goegap Nature Wilderness;
Wildlife Highlands National Reserve Knysna Lakes)
Tel 033 845 1000. Park E off N7; S of R14; 15 km Tsitsikamma:
∑ kznwildlife.com R711 or R712. (9 miles) SE of Springbok. N2 from Plettenberg Bay;
Tel 058 255 1000. Tel 027 718 9906. Tel 042 281 1607.
South African ∑ sanparks.org ∑ experience
National Parks Wilderness:
northerncape.com Close to N2,
(SANParks) Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Tel 012 428 9111. Game Reserve Karoo National Park 15 km (9 miles)
∑ sanparks.org N2 to signposted turn-off N1 to Beaufort West. from George;
at Mtubatuba. Tel 023 415 2828. Tel 044 877 0046.
Health Issues Tel 033 845 1000. ∑ sanparks.org Knysna Lakes:
∑ kznwildlife.com N2 from Plettenberg Bay.
KNP Emergency Kgalagadi
iSimangaliso Wetland Transfrontier Park Tel 044 302 5600.
Hotline
Park R360 from Upington. ∑ sanparks.org
Tel 013 735 4325
N2 from Mtubatuba. Tel 054 561 2000. Table Mountain
Gauteng, Tel 033 845 1000. ∑ sanparks.org National Park
Limpopo and ∑ kznwildlife.com Tel 021 712 0527.
Namaqua National
Mpumalanga ∑ sanparks.org
Tembe Elephant Park Park
Kruger National Park N2 past Mkuze, Jozini Off N7 route to Namibia.
N4, R538, R569, or R536. turn-off. Tel 031 267 0144. Tel 027 672 1948.
Tel 012 428 9111. ∑ tembe.co.za ∑ sanparks.org
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72 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
important of these factors are rainfall, soil type, altitude and Savannah woodland
0 km 100
0 miles 100
Semiarid
The western part of South Africa mostly Vryburg
consists of thinly populated semi-
arid plains and mountains, from the tall red Kuruman
dunes of the Kalahari to Namaqualand with
its dazzling spring wildflower displays. Upington
Or
Campbell
Kimberley
an
ge
Port Nolloth
Springbok
Kleinsee
Middelburg
Fish
Cradock
Clanwilliam
Graaff-Reinet
Sutherland
Langebaan
Port
George Knysna Elizabeth
Worcester
Cape Town Riversdale
Hermanus
Forest
Closed-canopy forest, although
scarce in South Africa, is highly
biodiverse. It is particularly attractive
to bird-watchers as it hosts many
species of limited range.
Fynbos
The Cape Floral Kingdom supports a remarkably
diverse cover known as fynbos (fine bush), comprising
9,600 plant species, most of which occur only here –
probably the world’s greatest repository of floral
endemics. Much of the wildlife is unique to the region.
H A B I TAT S AT A G L A N C E 73
Highveld Grassland
The largely high-lying
central region of South
Africa, rising to 3,480 m
(11,420 ft) in the Drakens-
berg range, is dominated
by open grassland. In the
past century much of it
Termite hills provide an essential
has been lost to agriculture
or urban development. source of food for aardvarks
Niche Habitats
Within larger ecosystems
exist many smaller micro-
Key
habitats. For example, a
Musina
termite hill not only supports
Semiarid its insect creators, but
po Savannah woodland provides living space for
po
Li
m Louis Trichardt
Forest
small reptiles, food for
aardvarks, and a vantage
Wetland point for prowling cheetahs.
Mokopane
Baphalaborwa
Highveld grassland Isolated koppies, or cliffs,
Intertidal support a unique set of
creatures, from klipspringers
Mbombela Fynbos
Rustenburg (Nelspruit) to agama lizards, while
PRETORIA puddles might provide a
temporary home to terrapins.
JOHANNESBURG
Klersdorp MBABANE
Vereeniging Ermelo
l Lusu
Vaa tfu
Phon
gol
o
Newcastle
Vryheid
Clarens
Ladysmith
Tu
Bloemfontein
ge
la
MASERU KwaDukuza
Pietermaritzburg
d on
DURBAN
le
Ca
Kokstad
e Savannah Woodland
ang
Or
Port Edward Much of the north and east is covered in savannah
woodland, mostly dominated by thorny acacia
Lusikisiki trees. In terms of viewing game, this is the most
important habitat in South Africa.
East london
Wetland
There are several natural lakes in the
Grahamstown iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but South
Africa is generally a dry country,
and most other freshwater bodies
are artificially dammed.
Intertidal
The intertidal zone is the stretch of coast
dividing the permanent tree line from the
open sea. The northeast coastal belt features
lush mangrove swamps and offshore coral
reefs teeming with fish.
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WILD SOUTH AFRICA 75
FIELD GUIDE
South Africa’s national parks and other protected areas are home to an astounding
diversity of wildlife, from the charismatic “Big Five” (see pp76–7) to the lofty giraffe,
greyhound-like cheetah, elegant impala and diminutive dwarf mongoose. Bird
enthusiasts can look forward to sighting an enormous variety of birds. About
850 species have been recorded here, either typically African birds, migrants from
Europe or endemics found only in South Africa. There are some 500 species of
reptiles and amphibians, ranging from large crocodiles to tiny geckos.
The following pages introduce some of to offer. However, despite the relative
the many wild creatures that inhabit South profligacy of wildlife in South Africa, much
Africa. Some, such as the gregarious impala biodiversity has been lost during the past
and comical warthog, will be seen several three centuries of European settlement.
times daily on safari. Others, like lions and The sablelike bluebuck and zebralike
elephants, can usually be sighted at least quagga that once roamed the fynbos
once over the course of a few days. On the strewn slopes of the Western Cape were
other hand, creatures such as the nocturnal hunted to extinction by the early settlers,
aardvark and pangolin are so secretive while the protection of dwindling
that you could spend a year in the bush populations of fewer than 100 bonteboks,
without catching so much as a fleeting Cape Mountain zebras and white rhinos
glimpse. While the main focus of this field within national parks and game reserves
guide is mammals, a more generic saved these species from a similar fate.
overview of South Africa’s varied cast of The conservation ethic that now prevails
reptiles and amphibians is also provided, in South Africa is generally wellmanaged
along with a few dozen of the more con and forwardthinking, but the scourge
spicuous and memorable bird species. of poaching and inevitable habitat
The vast Kruger National Park, in loss caused by an expanding human
particular, is one of the world’s top population remain real concerns. For
destinations for the “Big Five” and host to this reason, the descriptions that follow
many other popular favourites, including are accompanied by the International
the giraffe, wildebeest and cheetah. These Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
are just a fraction of what the country has Red List status of each species (see p77).
South Africa’s
Wildlife Heritage
Before the arrival of the white colonists, the nomadic Khoisan
hunted wild animals for food, while to the east, Zulu and Venda
traded in ivory and organized ceremonial hunts – but their
spears and pitfall traps had little impact. When Europeans
arrived on the scene in the 17th century, South Africa’s wildlife
seemed inexhaustible. By the mid-19th century, with their
deadly weapons, the settlers had seen to it that the vast herds
had disappeared – many species were in danger of extinction.
Conservation measures over the past century have brought The klipspringer, agile
about an amazing recovery, and South Africa’s wildlife reserves and sure-footed, occurs
in mountainous areas
are now among the finest in the world. throughout the country.
Blue wildebeest
White-fronted bee-eaters,
one of around 850 bird species
recorded in the country, gather Zebra
in flocks along rivers in the
Kruger National Park. They catch
and consume flying insects.
At the Waterhole
In the dry winter months (May to September), an
ever-changing wildlife pageant unfolds as animals
gather at waterholes to drink. Wooden hides have
been erected at waterholes in KwaZulu-Natal’s
The hunt is a brutal yet timeless African Hluhluwe-Imfolozi (see p298) and uMkhuze game
sequence. Cheetahs mainly prey on smaller reserves, while the rivers in the Kruger National Park
antelopes, like springboks and impalas. offer the best vantage points.
Princeps demodocus
The First Wildlife Reserves demodocus, the attractive
By the mid-19th century, hunters had decimated the big Christmas butterfly (also
game. Subspecies like the quagga (a type of zebra) and Cape known as the citrus
lion had become extinct. As towns expanded, people began to swallowtail),
can be seen
view wildlife as an asset, and in 1889, the Natal Volksraad
throughout
(people’s council) agreed to establish a wildlife
South Africa
reserve. In 1894, a strip of land between from September
KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland became to April. As one of its names
the Pongola Game Reserve, Africa’s first suggests, the species often
conser vation area. In 1898, President occurs in citrus groves.
Paul Kruger signed a proclamation
establishing the forerunner of a
sanctuary that was later named
Quagga Kruger National Park in his honour.
IUCN Red List
Established in 1963, the
International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Red List of Threatened Species
uses a set of criteria to evaluate
the extinction risk of more than
40,000 species and subspecies of
plants and animals globally. Each
taxon evaluated is assigned to
Spotted hyenas are one of one of the following categories:
the most interesting of Africa’s • Extinct (EX) – No individuals
predators. Loose family groups known to survive, e.g. bluebuck.
are led by females who, due to • Extinct in the Wild (EW) –
high levels of male hormones, Survives only in captivity or as an
also have male genitalia. introduced population outside
its natural range.
Female impala
• Critically Endangered (CE) –
Nyala cows, usually accompanied Extremely high risk of extinction
by dominant bulls, are often in the immediate future, e.g.
spotted in the woodlands of black rhino.
northern KwaZulu-Natal.
• Endangered (EN) – Very high
Vervet monkeys usually avoid risk of extinction within the
arid habitats. foreseeable future, e.g. African
wild dog.
Waterholes dry out rapidly in the • Vulnerable (VU) – Significant
summer heat, and the animals
medium-term risk of extinction,
suffer much hardship.
e.g. lion.
Oxpeckers and kudu provide an • Least Concern (LC) – No
example of the symbiosis that has significant risk of extinction at
evolved between different animals present, e.g. impala.
under the harsh African conditions. • Data Deficient (DD) –
The birds free the antelopes of Insufficient information available
parasites, and also act as an alarm for assessment.
system at waterholes.
Buffaloes are the most abundant Leopards are shy Elephants live in tight-knit family
of the Big Five and occur in large cats that are largely groups led by a matriarch. The bulls
herds. Old bulls become loners and nocturnal and often remain solitary, or may band
may be extremely dangerous. rest on tree branches. together to form bachelor herds.
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78 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Cats Family
South Africa’s seven felid
Secretive and solitary, cats belong to the family Felidae and species are traditionally
are the most stealthy and efficient killers among carnivores. split between three genera:
Also the most strictly carnivorous, they feed exclusively on Felis, with small- to medium-
other warm-blooded creatures, from sparrows and mice sized cats; Panthera, with
big cats distinguished by
to buffaloes and giraffes. Although they differ greatly in a larynx modification
coloration and size, all cats have a similar body plan to their that enables them to roar;
familiar domestic counterpart, with an elongated body, and Acinonyx, with the
long tail, small head, sensitive whiskers, prominent canine cheetah – the only felid
with non-retractable claws.
teeth and keen, bifocal vision. Much wild felid behaviour will
be familiar to the average cat owner.
Cheetah
Species: Acinonyx jubatus • Best Seen: Phinda, Kruger (central region), Sabi Sands
VU
This large spotted felid is the greyhound of the African bush, with a streamlined build, small head and
unique non-retractable claws tailored to its specialist pursuit of sprinting. The world’s fastest runner, it is
capable of accelerating from standstill to a speed of 115 kmph (72 mph) in 4 seconds. Where most
feline predators combine hunting with scavenging, the cheetah feeds exclusively on fresh meat. It is
also unusual in that it hunts by day as well as at dusk, creeping to within 15–30 m (50–100 ft) of its prey
before opening chase and, if successful, knocking down and suffocating its victim. Less solitary than
most cats, the cheetah is often seen in pairs or small groups – either male coalitions of up to three
brothers, or a female with cubs. In common with other cats, a cheetah will purr
when content and growl, hiss and yelp when threatened or annoyed. Unlike
the true big cats, it cannot roar. Instead, its most common vocalization, often
made by a mother looking for her cubs, is a high-pitched, bird-like twitter
known as “yipping”. The cheetah has a restless temperament, and is often seen
trotting determinedly through the grass, breaking step only to climb on a tree
trunk or termite mound that presents itself as a lookout post. Once widespread
in Asia, Arabia and Africa, it has suffered a massive range-
retraction in recent times, and is now practically restricted
to sub-Saharan Africa.
Black-Footed Cat
Species: Felis nigripes • Best Seen: Kgalagadi, Pilanesberg
VU
Caracal
Species: Felis caracal • Best Seen: Kgalagadi, Augrabies Falls
LC
Serval
Species: Felis serval • Best Seen: Kruger, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Ithala
LC
Lion
The largest terrestrial predator in Africa, the lion is the most sociable and least secretive
of the world’s 36 cat species. Unusually among felids it seldom takes to the trees, and the
adult male sports a regal blond or black mane. For most people, the charismatic “king of
the jungle” is the ultimate African safari icon, so much so that it is often easy to forget
that lions once ranged widely across Eurasia. Today, South Africa’s lions are confined to a
few protected areas. Elsewhere they have been hunted to extinction, and the continental
population has plunged by an estimated 75 per cent since 1990.
The main diet of lions in South Cubs spend much time mock- A mating bout often lasts for
Africa comprises antelopes and fighting and playing with each less than a minute and is accom-
other ungulates. other, and sometimes with adults. panied by growling and hissing.
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82 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Leopard
Paradoxically the most abundant yet most elusive of Africa’s large predators, the
leopard is distinguishable by its rosette-patterned coat, powerfully pugilistic physique
and preference for dense cover. This determinedly nocturnal cat is the supreme solitary
hunter, capable of creeping to within a metre of its prey before pouncing. Despite
widespread persecution, the global leopard population stands at an estimated 500,000
individuals, ranging from Asia to South Africa. Sabi Sands (see p345) is the best place
in the world for protracted sightings.
KEY FACTS
Feeding
The leopard is an adaptable and Panthera pardus
opportunistic hunter, feeding on
anything from medium-sized Local names: Ingwe (Zulu),
Nkwe (Sotho), Luiperd
antelopes to hares, birds,
(Afrikaans)
baboons, hyraxes and insects.
It depends almost entirely on Size Shoulder height:
stealth, stalking silently through 70–80 cm (28–32 inches);
thick vegetation before emerging Weight: up to 90 kg (198 lb).
at the last possible moment to
pounce and strangle its prey with Lifespan Up to 20 years.
Leopard dragging prey, often
its powerful jaws. In rainforests Population in South Africa
three times its weight, into
and other habitats where lions 8,000–10,000.
the canopy
are absent, the leopard is typically Conservation status LC.
the apex predator, and adults Gestation Period
tend to be notably heavier than 3–4 months.
their savannah counterparts. Reproduction Females
A leopard will frequently carry a reach sexual maturity at
large kill high into the canopy, 2–4 years, when they
where it is safely out of the come into oestrus.
reach of less arboreal
Habitat Shows high
scavengers such as lions,
habitat tolerance and
hyenas and jackals. might occur anywhere.
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84 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Bat-Eared Fox
Species: Otocyon megalotis • Best Seen: Kgalagadi,
Augrabies Falls
LC
Brown Hyena
Species: Hyaena hyaena • Best Seen: Pilanesberg,
Kgalagadi, Madikwe
VU
Arguably the largest of the The honey-badger, or ratel, A widespread but uncommon
“small” carnivores, weighing has a fearless temperament resident of open grassland, the
as much as 35 kg (77 lb) in and pugilistic build, with a striped weasel is mostly black
some cases, the Cape clawless black body bisected by an off- below and white on top, with
otter is a dark brown piscivore white stripe down its back, an all-white tail. With its very
with a bold white collar. a deceptively puppyish face short legs and almost cylindrical
While seen in any suitable and heavy, bear-like claws. An body shape, it could almost be
wetland habitat, it is most opportunistic feeder, its diet mistaken for a snake at first
common in waters where it includes snakes, scorpions and glance. It preys almost
can evade crocodiles. the soft parts of tortoises. exclusively on small rodents.
Larger and heftier-looking than Also known as the small- Similar-looking to the common
the related genets, the African spotted genet, this is the most genet but with a black-tipped
civet is a long-haired omnivore familiar member of a genus of instead of a white-tipped tail,
with a black, white and gold cat-like predators represented the blotched or large-spotted
coat. It feeds on small animals, by some eight species in sub- genet has a slender, low-slung
including certain snakes, but Saharan Africa. It regularly visits torso, a spotted black-on-gold
will also eat fruits and roots. It is a few select lodges at night, coat and a long striped tail.
seen on night drives, pacing and is quite often observed on It is most likely to be seen on
deliberately with its nose to the night drives in Sabi Sands and a night drive or scavenging
ground as if following a scent. other reserves. around lodges after dark.
IUCN status LC: Least Concern
FIELD GUIDE 87
Among the most common and The diminutive and highly A widespread species, the
sociable of several mongoose social dwarf mongoose has slender mongoose divides its
species in South Africa, the a shoulder height of 7 cm time between foraging terres-
banded mongoose is a slender, (2¾ inches). It is a light brown trially and arboreally. Though
cat-sized carnivore whose dark predator often seen in the quite variable in shade, it is
brown coat bears a dozen vicinity of the termite mounds almost always uniform grey
or so faint black stripes along and hollowed dead branches or brown in colour with an
the back. Diurnally active, that it uses as a home. Family elongated body and tail –
it is typically seen in family members can sometimes be the latter with a prominent
bands of 10 to 20 members. seen interacting near the den. black tip.
Primates Family
Intelligent, hyperactive and graceful, monkeys are among The three species of diurnal
primate that inhabit
the most entertaining of creatures. They are well represented South Africa are all classified
in equatorial Africa, where certain individual forests contain as Old World Monkeys
up to a dozen species, but rather less so in South Africa, (family Cercopithecidae)
where only three species are present. This lack of diversity and placed in the sub-family
Cercopithecinae (cheek-
is attributable to the lack of suitably forested habitats. pouched monkeys).
All of South Africa’s monkeys are Cercopithecids (cheek-
pouched monkeys), an adaptable family of omnivores that
fills many ecological niches from swamp forests to semiarid
plains, and is named for its inner cheek pouch, which can
hold as much food as a full stomach.
Bushbaby
Family: Galagonidae • Best Seen: Kruger, Sabi Sands,
Pilanesberg
Most Species: Variable
Vervet Monkey
Species: Chlorocebus [Aethiops] pygerythrus • Best Seen:
Kruger, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Durban
LC
Chacma Baboon
Species: Papio ursinus • Best Seen: uKhahlamba-
Drakensberg, Kruger, Cape Peninsula
LC
Blue Monkey
Species: Cercopithecus mitis • Best Seen:
iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Kruger
(far north only)
LC
Sighting Tips
A trail of football-sized dung
and mangled vegetation are
sure signs that elephants
have passed by.
Elephants spray
themselves with water
Tusks and trunk are both used The trunk is regularly used to tear or dust to help cool
to dig for subterranean water in juicy branches from the canopy and down under the hot
riverbeds during the dry season. manoeuvre them into the mouth. tropical sun.
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92 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Rhinoceros
With their armoured hide, massive bulk and fearsome
horns, the world’s five surviving rhino species represent
one of the most ancient and impressive branches of the
ungulate line. Sadly, all three Asian species are on the
danger list, while their African counterparts are still in
tentative recovery from the critical population declines
that occurred during the 20th century. It is no exagger
ation to say that South Africa stands at the forefront of
rhino conservation – some 75 per cent of the world’s
surviving rhinos are protected within its borders.
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94 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
African Buffalo
Africa’s only wild ox, the African buffalo, is similar in appearance to the Indian water
buffalo and closely related to domestic cattle. Powerfully built, with a bulk of up
to 800 kg (1,764 lb) and heavy, splayed horns, it is famed for its unpredictable
temperament. Indeed, the “great white hunters” who coined the term Big Five
regarded this ox as the most dangerous of foes. Buffaloes are the most numerous
of the Big Five, with a continent-wide population estimated at almost a
million, and are highly conspicuous in several South African reserves.
Affectionately known as
Daga Boys after an African word
meaning mud, elderly male
buffaloes tend to live singly or in
small bachelor herds, and have a
reputation for grumpiness, as
well as for being quicker to
charge than individuals
in breeding herds.
Seasonal aggregations of
more than 1,000 buffaloes can
still be seen in some parts of South
Africa, most notably in the central
and northern Kruger National
Park (see p344).
KEY FACTS
Feeding
Primarily a grazer, the Syncerus caffer
African buffalo requires a Local names: Inyathi (Zulu),
significant proportion of Nare (Tswana), Buffel
grass in its diet, although (Afrikaans)
Buffalo herd gathering at a waterhole to it can supplement
this by feeding on low Size Shoulder height: 1.2–
drink and wallow
trees and shrubs. Large 1.7 m (4–6 ft); Weight: 500–
herds are common in most grassland habitats, 800 kg (1,102–1,764 lb).
while forests support smaller herds. The
Lifespan 20–25 years.
buffalo feeds throughout the day, but
Population in South
will readily adopt a nocturnal feeding Africa 30–60,000.
pattern in areas where it is repeatedly Conservation status LC.
disturbed. It must drink at least Gestation Period
once every 24 hours, and also 11–12 months.
enjoys wallowing. Herds rarely Reproduction Females
stray more than 10–15 km mature at the age of 4–5
(6–9 miles) away from a years and give birth to a
reliable water source. single calf at the start of
the rainy season.
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96 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Southern Giraffe
Species: Giraffa camelopardalis • Best Seen:
Kruger, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Pilanesberg
LC
Common Hippopotamus
Species: Hippopotamus amphibius • Best Seen:
iSimangaliso, Kruger, Pilanesberg
VU
Mountain Zebra
Species: Equus zebra • Best Seen: Goegap,
Table Mountain
EN
Plains Zebra
Species: Equus quagga • Best Seen: Kruger, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Sabi Sands
LC
Hyrax
Order: Hyracoidea • Best Seen: Table Mountain,
Mapungubwe, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
All Species: LC
Cape Porcupine
Species: Hystrix africaeaustralis • Best Seen:
Sabi Sands
LC
LC
Springhare
Species: Pedetes capensis • Best Seen: Kgalagadi,
Augrabies Falls, Mapungubwe
LC
Common Warthog
Species: Phacochoerus africanus • Best Seen: Kruger,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Pilanesberg
LC
Antelopes Family
A constant of South Africa’s wild places, antelopes thrive in Antelopes split into two
groups. The eland, greater
every habitat from rainforest to desert. They range from the kudu, nyala and bushbuck
tiny blue duiker, which weighs about the same as a domestic belong to the tribe Tragel-
cat, to the cattle-sized eland. Otherwise similar in appearance aphini, more closely related
to deer, antelopes sport permanent horns rather than seasonal to buffaloes than to other
antelopes, which are split
antlers. The family has its very own photogenic “Big Five”: across six bovid subfamilies.
eland, kudu, gemsbok, sable antelope and roan antelope.
Common Eland
Species: Taurotragus oryx • Best Seen: uKhahlamba-
Drakensberg, Pilanesberg, Kgalagadi
LC
Roan Antelope
Species: Hippotragus equinus • Best Seen: Kruger (Letaba
area), Pilanesberg
LC
Sable Antelope
Species: Hippotragus niger • Best Seen: Pilanesberg, Sabi
Sands, Kruger (Around Pretoriuskop and Letaba)
LC
Common Waterbuck
Species: Kobus ellipsiprymnus • Best Seen: Kruger,
iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
VU
Red Hartebeest
Species: Alcelaphus buselaphus • Best Seen: Kgalagadi,
Madikwe, Pilanesberg
LC
Blesbok/Bontebok
Species: Damaliscus pygargus • Best Seen: Bontebok,
Table Mountain, Golden Gate
LC
Black Wildebeest
Species: Connochaetes gnou • Best Seen: Golden Gate
LC
Nyala
Species: Tragelaphus angasii • Best Seen: Hluhluwe-
Imfolozi, Kruger, iSimangaliso
LC
A widespread but shy resident The 46-cm (18-inch) tall A relict of an ancient antelope
of coastal forests, the blue Natal red duiker is among the lineage, the klipspringer
duiker is the smallest South South African representatives (Africaans for “rock jumper”)
African antelope, with a height of a cluster of red duiker boasts several unusual
of about 35 cm (14 inches) and species, most of which are adaptations to its mountainous
a weight of 5 kg (11 lb). It is one deep chestnut in colour with habitat. Binocular vision
of a group of hunchbacked a white tail and black snout enables it to gauge jumping
forest-dwellers that rank as patch. A specialized forest- distances accurately, it has a
perhaps the most elusive and dweller confined to the eastern unique ability to walk on its
least well understood of East coastal littoral, it is liable to be hoof tips, and its hollow fur
African antelope. Seldom seen, confused only with the blue insulates at high altitude. Pairs
it can be distinguished by its duiker or the suni, but it is more bond for life, and both sexes
white under-tail, which it flicks widespread than either and, have a grizzled grey-brown
regularly. Both sexes have when seen clearly, its rich coat, short, forward-curving
short sharp horns. coloration distinguishes it. horns and an arched back.
IUCN status VU: Vulnerable; LC: Least Concern
FIELD GUIDE 105
Endemic to fynbos and other The core range of Sharpe’s This South African endemic
thicket habitats in the Western grysbok, the tropical counter- is superficially similar to the
and Eastern Cape, the Cape part to the Cape grysbok, lies mountain reedbuck, but
grysbok can be distinguished north of the Limpopo, but it is has a woollier grey coat, a
from other small antelope in sparsely distributed in suitable longer neck and snout, and
its geographic range by its habitats – thickets and rocky distinctive elongated hare-like
larger size, chunky build, slopes – in parts of the Kruger ears. Because it has several
tailless appearance and the National Park. The reddish, goat-like adaptations, it is
combination of a flecked white-flecked coat and unusual something of a taxonomic
russet coat and white circles grazing posture, with white enigma. Around 20 per cent
around the eyes. Despite rump tilted skywards, preclude of the global population
being somewhat localized, it confusion with other antelope lives in the uKhahlamba-
remains reasonably common in its range. Very timid, it some- Drakensberg, and it is
in suitable habitats in the times retreats into aardvark commonly depicted in that
Western and Eastern Cape. burrows when threatened. park’s ancient rock art.
Key to Field Guide icons see p72
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106 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s largest frog Africa’s most diverse frog Represented in South Africa
species is an aggressive family, found in moist by over a dozen species,
carnivore that weighs up to woodland habitats, tree skinks are small, fleet-footed
2 kg (4 lb) and takes prey as frogs are small and brightly lizards with slender bodies,
large as rats. During the coloured, with long broad- long tails and dark scaling.
rains, it emits a memorable tipped toes used to climb Among the more visible
medley of lusty bellows and trees and reeds. A common species are the variable,
grunts. In the dry season it species is the bubbling kassina, striped and rainbow skinks
estivates, burying itself in a whose popping chorus is of the genus Mabuya, most
subterranean cocoon for among the most wondrous of which are associated
months on end. of African sounds. with rocks.
The most diverse African lizard These charismatic lizards are Agamas are medium to large
family, geckoes have lidless known for their colour changes lizards with bright plastic-
bug-eyes for nocturnal hunting (caused by mood rather than looking scales – blue, purple,
and adhesive toes that allow background), independently red or orange, depending
them to run upside-down on swivelling eyes and long sticky on the species. The flattened
smooth surfaces. Most familiar tongues that uncoil to lunge at head is generally differently
is the common house gecko, insects. Most common is the coloured from the torso. Often
a translucent white lizard that flap-necked chameleon, but observed basking on rocks, the
can be seen in safari lodges there are also several endemic male red-headed agama
in the Kruger area. dwarf chameleons. is particularly spectacular.
IUCN status LC: Least Concern; NE: Not Evaluated
FIELD GUIDE 107
Harmless Snakes
Of the 120 snake species recorded in South Africa, only
eight are classed as highly venomous. Most of the others
are entirely harmless. Among the more common of these
benign slitherers, snakes of the genus Philothamnus are
generally bright green with large dark eyes, and are often
seen near water. The widespread rhombic egg-eater,
sometimes mistaken for a puff adder, can dislocate its
jaws to swallow an egg whole, regurgitating the crushed
shell in a neat package. Rhombic egg-eater, a non-venomous snake
As Africa’s largest snake, this Mambas are fast-moving Cobras are long snakes –
python can reach lengths and widely feared snakes up to 3 m (10 ft) – whose
of 6 m (20 ft), and is very that generally attack only trademark hoods open in
likely to be seen on safari. when cornered. The 4-m warning when they raise
It is non-venomous, (12-ft) black mamba, their head to strike or spit
wrapping its body around Africa’s largest venomous venom into the target’s eye.
its prey, swallowing snake, has a distinctive Bites are fatal, but spitting,
it whole and slumbering coffin-shaped head. The though it can result in
for weeks or months while green mamba is smaller and temporary blindness, causes
the digestive juices do shyer. Bites are rare but the little long-term damage if the
their work. venom is fatal. venom is diluted with water.
As its Afrikaans name suggests, The puff adder’s notoriously Africa’s largest lizard, the
the boomslang (tree snake) is sluggish disposition means that Nile monitor can grow to be
almost exclusively arboreal. It is it is more frequently disturbed 3 m (10 ft) long, and is often
generally green in colour, but than any other venomous seen along river margins.
may also be brown or olive. snake – and is thus responsible The closely related savannah
Theoretically the most toxic of for more bites than other monitor is a little smaller in
African snakes, it is back-fanged species. Thickset and cryptically size. Both species feed on meat
and passive, and, except on marked, it is most common in and carrion and, though not
snake handlers, it has never rocky areas, but also occurs normally dangerous, can inflict
inflicted a fatal bite. in most bush habitats. a nasty bite if cornered.
Key to Field Guide icons see p72
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108 WILD SOUTH AFRICA
Nile Crocodile
Species: Crocodylus niloticus • Best Seen: Kruger,
iSimangaliso, Ndumo
LC
The hide of dark, heavy
Crocodiles have lurked in the lakes and rivers of scales is valued by
Africa for at least 150 million years, and are the commercial poachers to
nearest thing alive to a relict of the Jurassic Era, as make handbags, shoes and
other leather goods.
they are more closely related to dinosaurs than
to any living creature. South Africa is home to
the Nile crocodile, Africa’s bulkiest and longest-
lived predator, which grows to a maximum
recorded length of 8 m (26 ft), weighs up to
1,000 kg (2,205 lb) and boasts a lifespan similar to
that of humans. It occurs naturally in freshwater A crocodile can stay
habitats, basking open-mouthed on the sand- submerged in water
banks before it slips, silent and sinister, into the without drawing breath for
water on the approach of a boat. The St Lucia 45–60 minutes.
Estuary in iSimangaliso Wetland Park harbours
the country’s densest population of Nile
crocodiles, but they are also common in
the rivers of the Kruger National Park.
A female lays up to 100 hard-shelled
eggs in a small hole, covers them to protect
them from predators, then returns three
months later to carry the hatchlings to the
water, where she leaves them to fend for
themselves. The Nile crocodile feeds mainly on
fish, but occasionally drags a mammal as large A Nile crocodile has about 80
as a lion into the water. Several crocodile farms in teeth, which are shed and
South Africa breed these reptiles for their replaced twice annually.
valuable hide, the best-known farm being
located on the outskirts of St Lucia town. Crocodiles make for a primeval sight as they bask on a bank
Tortoise
Family: Testudinidae • Best Seen: Kruger, Addo
Elephant, Pilanesberg
Most Species: Variable
Terrapin
The long muscular tail Family: Pelomedusidae • Best Seen: iSimangaliso, Kruger,
is used to propel and Ndumo
steer through the water.
Most Species: LC
Marine Turtle
Family: Chelonioidea • Best Seen: iSimangaliso
Most Species: CE or EN
Birds Family
A growing body of genetic
With a national checklist of about 850 species, South Africa
and fossil evidence suggests
supports an exceptionally varied avifauna. The most that birds are most properly
prolific areas for birding are in the northeast (especially placed with crocodiles as the
the Kruger National Park, Ndumo Game Reserve and only living members of the
Archosauria, a group that also
iSimangaliso Wetland Park), where enthusiasts may easily
includes the extinct dinosaurs.
see up to 100 species in a day. Avian diversity is greatest from
September to April, when migrants arrive and residents shed
their drab plumage to emerge in brilliant breeding colours.
Hadeda Ibis
Species: Bostrychia hagedash • Relatives: Sacred Ibis,
Glossy Ibis, Southern Bald Ibis
LC
African Darter
Species: Anhinga rufa • Relatives: White-Breasted
Cormorant, Long-Tailed Cormorant, African Finfoot
LC
Greater Flamingo
Species: Phoenicopterus roseus • Relatives: Lesser
Flamingo
LC
Blue Crane
Species: Anthropoides paradisea • Relatives: Grey
Crowned Crane, Wattled Crane
VU
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
Species: Bubo lacteus • Relatives: Barn Owl, Spotted
Eagle-Owl, Scops Owl
LC
Kori Bustard
Species: Ardeotis kori • Relatives: Stanley’s Bustard, Black-
Bellied Korhaan, Black Korhaan
LC
Guineafowl are large, gregarious The sole member of its family, Also known as the lily-trotter,
ground birds with spotted the hamerkop is a rusty brown, the African jacana is one of
white-on-grey feathers and blue rook-sized bird whose long, South Africa’s most characteristic
heads. The distinctive helmeted flattened bill and angular crest waterbirds, usually associated
guineafowl is commonly seen combine to create its hammer- with lily pads and other
everywhere from Kirstenbosch headed appearance. This bird’s floating vegetation, on which
Botanical Garden to the Kruger proverbially massive and it is able to walk, thanks to its
National Park. The striking amorphous nest is normally exceptionally far-spreading toes.
crested guineafowl, with its constructed untidily over several An unmistakable and very
“bad hair day” head-plumes, is months in a tree fork close to attractive bird, it has a rich
restricted to forest and riparian the water, and is made of litter, chestnut torso and wings, white
woodland in the northeast of branches, mud and other natural neck, black cap and blue bill
the country. and artificial objects. and frontal shield.
Endemic to Africa, go-away One of the most popular and Related to the smaller weavers,
birds and loeries are vocal recognizable safari birds, the this black bird with red-and-
frugivores with elongated lilac-breasted roller is a robust, white shoulder markings has
bodies, long tails and prominent jay-like bird with a lilac chest, an extraordinary long, droopy
crests. The grey go-away bird sky-blue underparts and gold tail that gives it a total length
is named for its explosive back. It is often seen perching of up to 80 cm (32 inches)
onomatopoeic call. Far more on an acacia branch, then during the breeding season.
beautiful are the green-and-red swooping down to hawk on its It is often seen from the roadside,
knysna and purple-crested prey. Four similar-looking roller flying low over reedy marshes
loeries. The former inhabits species occur in bush habitats and highveld grassland, where it
eastern coastal and montane in South Africa, all indulging in occurs alongside several other
forests; the latter is associated the agile aerial displays to which attractive but less dramatic
more with riparian woodland. their name refers. widows and bishops.
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120 CAPE TOWN
HELEN
S U Z M A N B LV D
MAIN ROAD
AD
AD
RO
RO
NT
L
VE
GE
LE
RE
GH
HI
D
CITY BOWL
A
L RO
(See pp124–37)
IL
NA
SIG
at noon.
EK
ST
N
F
OF
O
LO
K LO
0 metres 500
0 yards 500
Victoria Wharf
Shopping Centre, an
upmarket complex at
the V&A Water front
(see pp140–41), is a
veritable shopper’s
delight. The modern
ROBBEN ISLAND
structures have been (See pp146–7)
designed to fit in
with renovated
older buildings.
Ta b l e
Bay 0 metres 1,000
0 yards 1,000
offers accommodation
M
ER
TA B L E B AY B
for visiting dignitaries.
SE T
LV
D
RO
AD
H
ER
TZ
ST
O
ST
G
G
N
ST
LO
LE
ER
D
W
D
A D
A
LE A
ST RL
IN
ST
G
ST
N
EI
PL
ST
T
EL
N
NK
SO
N main public square in
ITE
M
AN the city centre. It is
BU
DE
LA B
LV D flanked by the City
MILL ST
Hall, the Castle
DE W
of Good Hope and the
AAL
D R IV railway station. On
E
weekday mornings it
hosts a lively flea market.
Hout
Bay
False Bay
0 kilometres 20
The Castle of Good Hope re-creates the days of Jan Cape Point 0 miles 10
van Riebeeck and the early settlers.
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122 CAPE TOWN
J
For four centuries, the Cape Peninsula’s most prominent
feature, Table Mountain, has been a welcome landmark
for travellers. This rugged mountain chain that stretches
T
IN
PO
from Table Bay to Cape Point soars out of the sea to a height
PE
CA
J
of 1,087 m (3,566 ft) above sea level, dwarfing the high-rise PLAT
EAU
Smitswinkel
buildings of Cape Town and its surrounding suburbs. The Bay
impressive front wall of Table Mountain and its surrounding MI
LL
Swartkop
678 m (2,224 ft)
ER
buttresses and ravines are a spectacular natural wonder.
SP
OIN
The rock formations and twisted strata indicate turbulent Simon’s Town
L
HIL
geological processes that span a 1,000-million-year period.
RE D
GLENCAIRN
Fish Hoek
IN
MA
507 m
J
(1,663 ft)
Muizenberg
TOKAI
Cape Point juts into the southern Atlantic Ocean and forms the tip of the
peninsula’s mountain chain. A scenic drive leads to the Cape of Good Hope Constantia
Winelands
(see p155), which offers hiking and mountain biking trails. The less energetic
can ride the funicular to a lighthouse with superb views. IA
NT
TA
NS
CO IN
MAIN
MA
Noordhoek
J
AK
Chapman’s Peak
S PE
The Sentinel
Constantiaberg 653 m (2,142 ft)
928 m (3,044 ft)
J
Hout Bay
Tokai Forest
Cycle Track
IN
MA
AY
UTB Llandudno
HO
J
Constantia Nek
S
es
DE
RH O
stl
RIA
The Sentinel is an
TO
po
VIC
impressive rock
eA
outcrop that
elv
towers at the
Tw
Devil’s Peak
Camps Bay as the Graafwater
1,000 m (3,280 ft)
J
J TAF
ELBE Formation, which
RG
Clifton lies above a base
of Cape granite.
K
NE
Lion’s Head
OF
ll
Hi
al
gn
CAPE TOWN
H
AC
Si
J
BE
SOM
ERS Sea Point
ET
www.ebook3000.com
CAPE TOWN 125
Sights at a Glance
Museums and Galleries Parks and Gardens
2 Iziko Slave Lodge 9 Table Mountain pp136–7
4 District Six Museum Historic Buildings
8 Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
1 Iziko Michaelis Collection
0 Iziko South African
3 Grand Parade and City Hall
National Gallery
5 Castle of Good Hope pp130–31
q South African Jewish
7 Iziko Koopmans-De Wet House
Museum
w Iziko South African
Museum and
Planetarium
Churches
6 Lutheran Church
HELEN
H BOULSEUZMAN
AC VARD
BE
3A
NCH
NO HIG H LEV
OR
FR
RF EL
ER
OL
BAY
LO K
E
N M
EW
OU
AC
W TA
VI
NT AL B LE
BE
AN
TE
N
R BA
CE
AL
AI
SIS Y
L
O
M
BER
UL BO
VE
SIGNAL HILL U UL
LE
TL
EV
AR
UT
SUF
GH
I
IN
UL NE D
H
ST
PP
I LS
HI
YU
NG
IA
JO ON
HN
CH
LO
M
UPP
S
P
T AN
O
UP
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EN
LO
PE OL DE
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RL
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RB
G W LA
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LA M
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LO
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F
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OO
IN
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DI
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N OP
SA
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BEAC H
M IL
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BU
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SPORTS CLUB D
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PL
TO
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PO
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NEW MARKET
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IL
VI
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VO
CH
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TO
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OF SIR LOWRY
DE
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KEIZ
NA
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ST ERS BO
A N GE
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PE
DIA
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AN
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KL
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HA CO
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NE
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D 'S
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TF
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HA
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H CA CH
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LION'S O
HO
MP ES
O
O MILL JU TL AN D DE W TE
KL
HEAD P AAL R
BUIT ENK ANT
O
ALE De Waal
LTEN
F I RD Park
HO
E F
MO
VU
VR
UPPER ORANGE
P RIN
C
BE LLE
ED
BE LV ED ER H OE
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K
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M
GO DAVENPORT J A RD
HIG S T SFO
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MO NT RO
GORG
SE
LM
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DEER PARK WEST
RU
GB
Y
BR ID LE
0 metres 750
0 yards 750
Cape Town’s City Hall, home to the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra For keys to symbols see back flap
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126 CAPE TOWN
V&A
The compact city centre lends itself to walking, because WATERFRONT
SH
O
RT
M
T
EE
A
RK
R
ST ET
ST
G
N
RE
LO
ET
. Greenmarket Square
A produce market since LO
1806, and now a national N
G
monument, this cobbled M
A
square supports a colourful, RK
ET
T
ST
E
R
C
H
U
R
C
H
ST
R
EE
T
W
. Long Street A
LE
This well-preserved historic street is ST
lined with elegant Victorian buildings R
EE
complete with graceful, delicate T
wrought-iron balconies.
Government
Avenue
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and pp398–9
THE CITY BOWL 127
St George’s Mall
A bustling pedestrian area, St George's Mall is
full of street entertainers, shops and cafés.
ST
RA
N
D
ST
RE
ET
C
A
ST
LE
ST
R
EE
T Foreshore
H
O
U
T
ST Adderley Street
RE
ET Adderley Street runs from the
Gardens to the Foreshore. The
LL
0 metres 100
G
0 yards 100
D
A
R
LI
N
G
ST
T
R The Castle
E
EE
E
T
T
S
Parade
Y
E
L
R
E
D
D
A
Standard Bank
Britannia is seated on the dome, high
B above the four-columned portico.
U
R
EA The foundation stone of the building
U was laid in 1880.
ST
R
EE
T
Groote Kerk
Only the original steeple remains of
South Africa’s oldest church. Completed
in 1703, it was rebuilt around 1840. The
carved pulpit, dating to 1789, is the work
of sculptor Anton Anreith and carpenter
Jan Jacob Graaff.
www.ebook3000.com
128 CAPE TOWN
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and pp398–9
THE CITY BOWL 129
3 Grand Parade
and City Hall 4District Six
Darling St. Map 5 C2.
Museum
The Grand Parade was the site 25a Buitenkant St. Map 5 B2.
van Riebeeck selected for his Tel 021 466 7200. Open 9am–4pm
first fort in 1652. The structure Mon–Sat. & 8 -
∑ districtsix.co.za
was levelled in 1674 when the
Castle of Good Hope (see Up until the 1970s, the Sixth
pp130–31) was completed – Municipal District of Cape Town
Many Cape Muslims have greengrocer stalls until 1821 the area was used as was home to almost a tenth of
on the Grand Parade a parade and exercise ground the city’s population. In 1965, the
for the troops. As buildings apartheid government declared
Across the road from the Slave went up around the perimeter, the area “white”, under the
Lodge is the Groote Kerk (big greengrocers established fruit Group Areas Act of 1950.
church). Soon after their arrival stalls, precursors of today’s flea Removals began in 1968, and by
at the Cape, the Dutch held market, which operates from 1982, more than 60,000 people
religious services on board Monday to Friday. The site is had been forcibly uprooted from
Jan van Riebeeck’s ship, now used both as a car park their homes and relocated
Drommedaris. Later, they and as a venue for popular 25 km (16 miles) away onto the
used a small room at events. barren plains of the Cape Flats
Castle Good Hope. Overlooking the Grand (see pp158–9).
However, they soon Parade is Cape Town’s The District Six Museum was
realized the need for a imposing City Hall. Built launched in 1994 to comme-
permanent site. A first, in 1905 in the elaborate morate the events of the
temporary structure at Italian Renaissance style, apartheid era and to preserve the
the northeast end of it presents its elegant memory of District Six as it was
the Company’s Garden façades on four different before the removals. It does this
was replaced by a thatched streets. A 39-bell carillon through a fascinating collection
church on the same site Andrew Murray tower was added in that includes historical docu-
in 1700, at the order of (1828–1917) 1923, which is an ments, photographs, audio-
Governor Willem Adriaan impressive half-sized visual recordings and physical
van der Stel. replica of London’s Big Ben. remains of the area such as street
The church was completely It was from the balcony of the signs. Visitors can explore the
rebuilt in the 19th century, City Hall that Nelson Mandela museum alone, or take a guided
and the new building was addressed the world after tour with a former resident of
dedicated in 1841. All that spending 27 years in prison. the destroyed District Six.
remains of the original church
today is the Baroque belfry,
which, unfortunately, is now
almost obscured by tall
modern buildings.
Of interest in the church is
the splendid original pulpit
supported by carved lions.
It is believed that sculptor
Anton Anreith’s original concept
including the symbolic images
of Hope, Faith and Charity was
rejected as being too papist.
The façade of the church has
high Gothic windows divided
by bold pilasters. In front
of the building is a statue of
Andrew Murray, minister of the Cape Town’s City Hall, opposite the Grand Parade
www.ebook3000.com
130 CAPE TOWN
Dolphin Pool
Descriptions and sketches made by
Lady Anne Barnard (see p162) in the
1790s enabled the reconstruction
of the dolphin pool more than
200 years later.
The Archway
Slate taken from a quarry on
Robben Island (see pp146–7) in
the 17th century was used for the
paving stones inside the castle.
KEY
Transport
@ Cape Town station.
Entrance Gable
A teak copy of the original VOC gable
reflects martial symbols: a banner,
flags, drums and cannon balls. Leerdam Bastion
Leerdam, Oranje, Nassau,
Catzenellenbogen and Buuren
were titles held by Prince
William of Orange.
. De Kat Balcony
The original staircase, built in 1695 as part of a
defensive crosswall, divided the square into an
inner and outer court, and was remodelled
between 1786 and 1790.
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132 CAPE TOWN
6 Lutheran Church
99 Strand St. Map 5 B1. Tel 021 421
5854. Open 10am–2pm Mon–Fri and
for Sun services.
∑ lutheranchurch.org.za
9 Table Mountain
The Lutheran Church on Strand Street See pp136–7.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and pp398–9
THE CITY BOWL 133
Muslim tradition
dictates that formal
attire be worn on
festive occasions. The fez, of Turkish origin, is still worn
This includes the occasionally, but knitted or cloth caps
traditional fez for are more common nowadays.
men, while women
don the characteristic
chador (full-length
veil or shawl).
www.ebook3000.com
134 CAPE TOWN
Q
S
T
R
E
E
T
The garden is a
tranquil haven in G
R
E
the city with water E
N
features, lawns and
benches under tall,
old trees.
G S
RE A
Y P
G
A
W
R
A
E
LE
25 Dec. 8 & 7 =
K
ST
Adderley R ∑ iziko.org.za
EE
Street T South Africa’s premier gallery
T
temporary exhibitions of
N
E
E
contemporary photography,
U
Q
q South African
V
O
Jewish Museum
G
www.ebook3000.com
136 CAPE TOWN
9 Table Mountain
The Cape Peninsula mountain chain is a mass of sedimentary
sandstone lying above ancient shales deposited some 700
million years ago, and large areas of granite dating back some
540 million years. The sandstone sediment which forms the
main block of the mountain was deposited about 450 million
years ago when the peninsula, then a part of the ancient
Royal Visitors
supercontinent Gondwana, lay below sea level. After the sub In 1947, Britain’s King George
sidence of the primeval ocean, the effects of wind, rain, ice VI and the future Queen
and extreme temperatures caused erosion of the softer layers, Mother accompanied Prime Hout
Minister Smuts on a hike. Bay
leaving behind the characteristic mesa of Table Mountain.
Kirstenbosch National
Kirstenbosch
Botanical Garden National
The garden (see pp164–5) Botanical
nestles at the foot of the Garden
Ske
peninsula range. Three major leto
n
trails and numerous paths lead
Wi
up the mountain slopes.
nd
ow
Go
rg
Southern e
Suburbs
h
at
ur P
Conto
Maclear’s Beacon
Forest Station
1,087 m (3,566 ft)
Newlands
Newlands
E
Key 0 kilometres 1
Reservoir B L
A
T
Major road 0 miles 0.5
Road
Hiking trail Devil’s Peak
1,000 m (3,280 ft)
University of
Cape Town
KEY
Rhodes
King’s
1 Platteklip Gorge is one of the Memorial
Blockhouse
Woodstock
Cave
popular hiking routes that lead up J
the face of the mountain.
Plumpudding Hill
2 A circular route leads up to 291 m (955 ft) J
Lion’s Head. Queen’s
Prince of Wales Blockhouse
Blockhouse
The Plateau
The high plateau
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
affords superb
Practical Information
views of the Hely-
Map 4 D5, E5, F5. n The Table
Hutchinson reservoir
Mountain Aerial Cableway Co,
and the Back Table,
021 424 8181. Cable cars
and southwards to
every 10–15 mins. Open daily.
False Bay and
Closed in bad weather and for
Cape Point.
annual maintenance (2 wks Jul).
&7-=
∑ tablemountain.net
De Villiers isa Transport
lD
Dam ig ina
Or
@ Lower Cable Station or taxi
from city centre.
Victoria
Alexandra Reservoir
Reservoir
ur
N
se
ry Reserve Peak
Ra m
vin 844 m (2,769 ft) ea
e Str
sa
Di
Gorge
Hely-
Woodhead
Hutchinson
Reservoir
Reservoir
Kastee
s Track
Junction Peak
919 m (3,015 ft)
lpoo
rt Viewing Platform
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
has been operating since 1929, and
Smut
Orion’s Cave
today near the upper station there are
k
Trac
N T A I N
M O U Tafelberg Road
ge
r
J
Go The spectacular
p
kli views of the city
te
at
Pl Upper make this one of
Cableway Camps
Station Bay
Cape Town’s
Up most popular
pe
rC walking routes.
J o
J
nto
klip
ur P Lower
ath
tte
J Cableway
Pla
Station
Mocke
Reservoir
J
Lion’s Head
669 m (2,195 ft)
City Centre J
V&A WATERFRONT
Cape Town’s successful Waterfront project upgrade and develop the site. Today,
was named after the son of Queen Victoria. visitors can stroll through the shopping
In 1860, a young Prince Alfred initiated areas and enjoy a meal in one of the
the construction of the first breakwater many eateries, while watching the daily
in stormy Table Bay, by toppling a load of workings of the harbour.
rocks that had been excavated from the In Table Bay, some 11 km (7 miles)
sea floor into the water. The Alfred Basin, north of the Waterfront, lies Robben
which was subsequently created, successfully Island, the political enclave that gained
protected visiting ships from the powerful international fame for the high-profile
gales howling around the Cape in winter exiles incarcerated there. For most of its
that had previously caused an alarming recorded history, the island has served
number of vessels to founder. as a place of confinement – for early
Increased shipping volumes led to the slaves, convicts, lepers and the mentally
building of the Victoria Basin in order to unstable. In 1961, however, it became a
ease the pressure on Alfred. From the 1960s, maximum security prison for leading
the basins and surrounding harbour buildings political activists, among them Nelson
gradually fell into disrepair. Then, in 1988, the Mandela. Today, the island is a protected
Waterfront Company set out to modernize, area, and the prison is now a museum.
Sights at a Glance
1 V&A Waterfront pp140–5
2 Robben Island pp146–7
R
AT E
AKW
BRE
GREEN POINT
KW
IT
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URBAN PARK D A
BLV RE
SO
CAPE TOWN
EI B
AY
NN
STADIUM
VL R B Victoria
EN
L GE
A M
B IL E R S AN D Basin
BE
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PE W
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SO
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RK
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CA V A LCA N Dock
DO
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0 metres 500
0 yards 500
The Cape Wheel, which provides panoramic views of Cape Town from its cabins For keys to symbols see back flap
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140 CAPE TOWN
Cape Town
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Cape Town harbour. Map 2 D3–4,
E3–4. n V&A Waterfront
Information Kiosk, Victoria Wharf,
021 408 7791. Open Shops: most
9am–9pm; restaurants: most
open until midnight. 0 = 7
∑ waterfront.co.za
Transport
@ MyCiTi buses from Civic
Centre, Adderley St in the city Foreshore
centre, Sea Point and Green Point.
4 to Robben Island; N Mandela
0 metres 50
Gateway (see p147).
0 yards 50
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and p399
T H E V & A WAT E R F R O N T 141
D
R
A
V
LE
U
O
B
6
Y
A
U
Q
5
Y
A . Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre
U
Q Exclusive shops, cosy eateries and
informal “barrow” stalls give this
shopping centre a festive,
market-day feel.
Quay Four
Cape Wheel
ROAD
AD
HE Amphitheatre
O
D
ER This venue offers a vast
PI array of musical and other
events. Jazz, rock, classical
AY Nelson Mandela concerts and the rhythms
QU
H To Clock Tower Gateway to of traditional drumming
RT
NO Centre and Robben Island take place here.
Diamond Museum
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142 CAPE TOWN
Cape Wheel
V&A Waterfront. Tel 021 418 2502 .
Open 11am–10pm Mon, Tue &
Thu–Sun. & 7 ∑ capewheel.
co.za
Volvo Ocean round-the-world racers moor at the Waterfront = Red Shed Craft Workshop
Victoria Wharf. Tel 021 408 7600.
Two Oceans Aquarium Alfred Basin (West Quay) Open 9am–9pm Mon–Sat,
Dock Rd. Map 2 D4. Tel 021 418 3823. Off Dock Rd. Map 2 E4. 7 10am–9pm Sun & public hols. 7
Open 9:30am–6pm daily. & 7 0 Alfred Basin forms a crucial part
= ∑ aquarium.co.za of the working harbour, as
One of the top attractions in Cape fishing boats chug to the
Town, this complex Robinson Graving
aims to introduce Dock for repair and
visitors to the incredible maintenance.
diversity of sealife that Alongside the dry
occurs in the ocean dock is the
around the Cape coast. Watershed craft
A world first is the market, one of
interesting exhibit of a South Africa’s The Cape Town Diamond Museum
complete river eco largest indoor
system that traces the markets, which sells Cape Town Diamond
course of a stream from handcrafted gifts, Museum
its mountain source toys, furniture and 1st Floor, Clock Tower Centre.
down to the open sea. art. The Iziko Map 2 E4. Tel 021 421 2488.
One of the most Maritime Centre Open 9am–9pm daily. & 8
fascinating features is holds a model ship ∑ capetowndiamondmuseum.org
the kelp forest, one of Victorian clock tower collection and Run by Shimansky, one of South
only three in the world. includes the John H Africa’s leading diamond jewellers,
It is housed in a ceilinghigh glass Marsh Maritime Research this museum traces the evolution
tank that holds various shoals of Centre, an important archive of of diamonds from their under
line fish swimming among the photos of ships from the 1920s ground formation to a sparkling
waving fronds. Apart from to the 1960s. The SAS Somerset, gem. Exhibits document the
waterbirds such as oystercatchers, a former naval defence vessel, is Orange River diamond rush that
there is a resident colony of also part of the centre. started in 1867, and there are
African penguins and a touch replicas of famous South African
pool, which has children E Iziko Maritime Centre diamonds, such as the Cullinan
exploring delicate underwater Union Castle Building, Dock Rd. and the TaylorBurton. Visitors can
creatures such as crabs, starfish Tel 021 405 2880. Open 10am–5pm also watch stones being cut and
and sea urchins. daily. Closed 1 May, 25 Dec. & polished in the workshop.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and p399
T H E V & A WAT E R F R O N T 143
The Displays
The aquarium’s displays are
well planned and create an
interesting, stimulating
environment. Quite a few of
them are interactive, offering
visitors the opportunity to
experience sealife at first hand.
The latest technology is used to
reveal the secrets of even the
tiniest of sea creatures.
The interior of the aquarium has been carefully designed to
re-create various ocean and riverine habitats.
The Intertidal
Pool contains
mussels, barnacles,
starfish, sea
anemones and
various sponges.
2 Robben Island
Named “Robben Eiland” – seal island – by the Dutch in the mid- ROBBEN
ISLAND
17th century, Robben Island has seen much human suffering.
As early as 1636 it served as a penal settlement, and it was taken
over by the South African Prisons Service in 1960. Its most famous
inmate was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years here. When the
V&A
last political prisoners were released in 1991, the South African WATERFRONT
Natural Heritage Programme nominated the island for its signifi-
cance as a seabird breeding colony – it hosts more than 130 bird
species. In 1997 the island was designated a museum, and in
1999 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
. Governor’s House
This splendid Victorian building
dates from 1895 and was
originally the home of the Island
Commissioner. Today it serves as
a conference centre and provides
upmarket accommodation for
visiting dignitaries and VIPs.
KEY
Political Prisoners
In the 18th century, high-ranking
princes and sheikhs from India, Malaysia
and Indonesia were sent to Robben
Island by the Dutch East India Company
for inciting resistance against their
European overlords. The British
banished rebellious Xhosa rulers to the
island in the early 1800s. In 1963, Nelson
Mandela and seven other political
activists were charged with conspiracy
The Lighthouse against the state for their political
This lighthouse was built in 1863 beliefs and were condemned to life
to replace the fire beacons in use imprisonment here.
until then. It is 18 m (59 ft) high,
and its beam can be seen from a Former inmate Nelson Mandela
distance of 25 km (16 miles).
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and p399
ROBBEN ISLAND 147
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map B5. Tel 021 413 4200.
Closed rough seas.
8 obligatory; book 2 days ahead
(2 wks in high season). 7 give
ticket office advance notice. &
= ∑ robben-island.org.za
Transport
g Apr–Sep: 9 & 11am, 1pm daily;
Offshore Island
This flat, rocky island lies 11 km (7 miles) north of Cape Town in the Oct–Mar: 9 & 11am, 1 & 3pm daily
icy Atlantic Ocean. Composed mainly of blue slate, it is only 30 m (N Mandela Gateway, Clock Tower
(98 ft) above sea level at its highest point. None of the trees on Precinct, V&A Waterfront).
the island are indigenous.
0 metres 150
0 yards 150
. Lime Quarry
Political prisoners,
required to work in this
quarry for at least six
hours a day, suffered
damage to their eyesight
due to the constant dust
and the glare of the
sunlight on the stark
white lime cliffs.
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CAPE TOWN 149
FURTHER AFIELD
In summer, the compact City Bowl bakes cooler – it is known to rain in Newlands –
at the foot of Table Mountain’s northern while the beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard
slopes, initiating a migration to the superb bask under clear skies. Also on the cool
beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard: Clifton, southern incline is Kirstenbosch National
Camps Bay and Llandudno. Parking space Botanical Garden, with its 7,000 plant species,
is at a premium as sunseekers move on to and the world-famous wine estate, Groot
the coastal villages of Hout Bay, Kommetjie Constantia. On the popular False Bay coast,
and Scarborough, as well as Cape Point, the water at Fish Hoek and Muizenberg is up
with its dramatic ocean views. The wooded to 5°C (10°F) warmer than the water along
southern slopes of Table Mountain are the western side of the Cape Peninsula.
R2
7
Robben Island
r Groot Constantia pp160–61 Bloubergrant
N7
u Mostert’s Mill Du Noon
i Rhodes Memorial
o South African Astronomical Milnerton
Observatory
Ta b l e B a y N1
Parks and Gardens Green Point Summer
Cape Town Paarl
t Kirstenbosch National Botanical Greens
Sea Point
Garden pp164–5 Windermere
6
M
p Ratanga Junction
62
Suburbs
M
N2 Cape Town
Camps Bay International
1 Green Point and Sea Point
6
2 Atlantic Seaboard M
Somerset
M5
M
0 miles 10 65
Smitswinkel Bay
Key
Main sightseeing area Cape of
Good Hope
Motorway
Major road Atlantic
Minor road Ocean Cape Point
The Lion’s Head peak dominates the Green Point and Sea Point suburbs of Cape Town For keys to symbols see back flap
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150 CAPE TOWN
2 Atlantic Seaboard
Victoria Rd. Map 3 B2–5.
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152 CAPE TOWN
3 Hout Bay
Since the 1940s, Hout Bay has been an important fishing
centre. It is also a pretty residential area and a popular
weekend resort. Its name derives from a diary entry made
by Jan van Riebeeck in July 1653, in which he refers to
“t’houtbaaijen”, the wooded bays in the area. Hout Bay’s
fisheries centre on snoek and rock lobster, and include
canning factories, a fishmeal plant and a fresh fish market.
The 1 km-long (half mile) beach is backed by low, scrub-
covered dunes and flanked by tall mountains. To the west,
the Karbonkelberg mountain range culminates in the
towering 331-m (1,086-ft) Sentinel Peak. To the east rises
the Chapman’s Peak range, along the slopes of which
snakes a world-famous scenic drive. A colourful fishing trawler in the
Hout Bay harbour
Exploring Hout Bay underwater among giant wavy such as the popular Dunes,
Road Map B5. 20 km (12 miles) S of kelp forests. Sunset cruises are which has a verandah over-
Cape Town on M6 or M63. @ MyCiTi always popular and local game- looking the beach and harbour.
bus from Civic Centre or Adderley St. fishing companies organize At the start of the
The green valleys of Hout Bay expeditions to catch a scenic coastal
are threaded with oak-lined variety of gamefish drive, Chapmans
roads. Horse paddocks and such as yellowfin Peak Hotel
stables abound; many local and longfin tuna, is very well-
riding centres offer instruction broadbill sword- positioned,
and recreational horse riding. fish and marlin. with beautiful
Residents walk their dogs on At the eastern views across the
Hout Bay beach in the early edge of the bay, bay. Its terrace
mornings. The beach is also a 1.4-m (4.5-ft) is popular in
frequented by swimmers, high bronze summer for
paddlesurfers and, at its west statue of a Bronze leopard, a reminder of the seafood lunches
end, by windsurfers and Hobie leopard is perched wildlife that once roamed the area and relaxed
Cat sailors. From the harbour, on a rock pinnacle. sundowners.
tour operators launch regular It was cast in 1963 by the late
cruises that take visitors out Ivan Mitford-Barberton, a Mariner’s Wharf
to watch seabirds and see the local artist. Harbour Road. Tel 021 790 1100.
Cape fur seal colony on Duiker The suburb of Hout Bay itself Open daily. 7 0 -
Island. Boat trips last for about offers a great variety of small = ∑ marinerswharf.com
45 minutes. The vessels have coffee shops, restaurants, cloth- Mariner’s Wharf was built by a
large portholes or glass bottoms ing and curio shops. Closer to local family, the Dormans, whose
so seals can be viewed frolicking the harbour there are pubs, predecessors farmed in the Hout
Bay valley during the 1900s. It
lies sandwiched between Hout
Bay’s beach and the busy little
fishing harbour, and offers
an open-air bistro, a seafood
restaurant and a shop that sells
marine-related curios. Visitors can
also enjoy a stroll along the pier
flanked by moored fishing boats.
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154 CAPE TOWN
J
Table
Camps Bay
Mountain
Airport
J
a
Dis
Constantia
1 Chapman’s Peak
The highest point rises to Hout Bay
592 m (1,942 ft). An observation
platform is set on sheer cliffs
which drop 160 m (525 ft) to
the swirling seas below.
J
0 kilometres 5
Tidal
Lagoon
0 miles 2
J 6 Muizenberg
Muizenberg beach
2 Kommetjie Kommetjie has flat, warm
Flashes from the power ful Fish Hoek water and is safe
beams of Slangkop for swimming.
Lighthouse can be seen J
from Hout Bay at night. 5 Boulders
Simon’s This accessible
Key Town African penguin
Tour route colony attracts
many visitors
Other roads
each year.
Park or reserve boundary
Kr
om 4 Funicular
The Flying
J
Duration: A full day, including a here, including ostriches, Good Hope Cape Point
stop for a leisurely lunch. bontebok, eland
and zebras.
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156 CAPE TOWN
8 Fish Hoek
Road map B5. M4, False Bay. *
11,900. £ from Cape Town station,
Adderley St.
P Rhodes Cottage
246 Main Rd. Tel 021 788 1816.
Open 10am–2pm Mon–Sat.
Fish Hoek beach offers safe bathing Closed 25 Dec. & by donation.
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158 CAPE TOWN
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160 CAPE TOWN
r Groot Constantia
The oldest wine estate in South Africa, Groot Constantia was built
on land granted in 1685 to Simon van der Stel, newly appointed
Commander of the Cape. On his death in 1712, the farm was
subdivided into three parts and sold. After several changes
of ownership, the portion with the manor house was bought
in 1778 by Hendrik Cloete, whose family owned it for three
Display of Carriages
generations thereafter and was responsible for the present A collection of carts and other
appearance of the buildings. Today, as well as being a fully implements tells the story of
operational farm, Groot Constantia is also a popular tourist transport in the Cape’s early
attraction, incorporating a museum belonging to the colonial days.
Iziko Museums group – its exhibits
include furniture, paintings,
textiles and ceramics.
Cape Gable
. Manor House The very tall gable of the manor house
This museum contains an authentic representation was added between 1799 and 1803.
of a wealthy 19th-century farming household. Most The sculpted figure of Abundance that
of the antiques were donated by Alfred A de Pass, decorates its lofty niche is the work of
member of a Dutch family. respected sculptor, Anton Anreith.
FURTHER AFIELD 161
Groot Constantia
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
The Mediterranean
climate of temperate
Practical Information
summers and cool, rainy
Road map B5. Groot Constantia
winters has ensured
off-ramp from M3 (Van der Stel
the success of the vines
Freeway) onto Ladies Mile.
planted on this estate.
Tel 021 794 5128. Open tastings:
9am–5:30pm daily. 8 cellar:
10am–4pm daily. & 7 0 -
= ∑ grootconstantia.co.za
Groot Constantia Manor House:
Tel 021 795 5140. Open 10am–
5pm daily. Closed 1 May, 25 Dec.
& ∑ iziko.org.za
Vin de Constance
This naturally sweet Muscat
de Frontignan by Klein
Constantia, part of the Groot
Constantia estate until 1712,
is made in the style of the
early 18th-century wines.
. Jonkershuis
Once the abode of the estate owner’s
bachelor sons, the quaint Jonkershuis
is now a restaurant that serves
traditional Cape dishes.
Government House Libertas (1771) has a Klein Constantia Nederburg (1800) has
(1756) is an example of convex-concave gable (1799) has a classical a convex-concave out-
the concave, or lobed, style, also called the gable, inspired by the line, broken pediment
gable style. Cape Baroque. Italian Renaissance. and low pilasters.
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162 CAPE TOWN
u Mostert’s Mill
Road map B5. Rhodes Drive.
@ Terminus in Strand St to Mowbray
station. Tel 021 782 1305.
Open phone to book. &
∑ mostertsmill.co.za
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164 CAPE TOWN
Birds
Proteas here attract the
endemic Cape sugarbirds.
KEY
Braille Trail
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
A guide rope leads
visually impaired visitors
Practical Information
along this interesting
Road map B5. Rhodes Ave
470-m (1,542-ft) long
turn-off on M3. Tel 021 799 8782.
walk through a wooded
Open 8am–7pm daily (Apr–Aug:
area. Signs in large print
to 6pm). 8 10am & 2pm Mon–
and braille describe the
Sat. & 0 - = 7
plant species that grow
∑ sanbi.org
along the trail.
Transport
£ Mowbray Station. @ From
Strand St and Mowbray Station;
City Sightseeing bus.
0 metres 100
0 yards 100
Floral Splendour
After the winter rains, carpets
of indigenous Namaqualand
daisies and gazanias echo the
flower display found along
the West Coast (see p220).
Two Shops
The shop located at
the upper entrance to
the garden sells indig-
enous plants and seeds,
while the lower shop
offers a variety of
natural history books,
gifts and novelty items.
Parking
. Camphor Avenue
This avenue of camphor trees was
planted by Cecil John Rhodes in 1898
along his favourite ride – from his
home at Groote Schuur to
Constantia Nek.
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166 CAPE TOWN
Opening Hours
Most shops in the city centre
and in the suburbs are open
from 9am–5pm on weekdays,
and from 9am–1pm on
Saturdays. Major malls open
at 9am and close between
7pm–9pm throughout the
week and on most public
holidays. Fridays are usually
the busiest time of the week
and many shops stay open until
9pm, although Muslim-owned
businesses are closed between
noon and 2pm. Supermarkets
and many delis are open
on Sundays. A relaxing corner of the busy Cape Quarter shopping mall
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168 CAPE TOWN
DIRECTORY
Shopping Malls Monkeybiz Giovanni’s Prins & Prins
61 Wale St, Bo-Kaap. 103 Main Rd, Green Point. 66 Loop St.
Canal Walk Map 1 C4.
Map 5 B1. Map 5 B1.
Century Boulevard, Tel 021 434 6893.
Tel 021 426 0145. Tel 021 422 1091.
Century City, Milnerton.
Tel 021 529 9699. Melissa’s The Food Private Collections
Montebello Design Shop 22 Hudson St,
Cape Quarter Centre 94 Kloof St, Gardens. De Waterkant.
27 Somerset Rd, De Newlands Ave, Newlands. Map 5 A2. Tel 021 424 Map 2 D5.
Waterkant. Map 2 D5. 5540.
Tel 021 685 6445. Tel 021 421 0298.
Tel 021 421 1111.
Vaughn Johnson’s
Cavendish Square Pan African Market Shimansky
Wine & Cigar Shop
Dreyer St, Claremont. 76 Long St. Map 5 A2. Clock Tower Centre,
Pierhead, Dock Rd, V&A
Tel 021 657 5620. Tel 021 426 4478. V&A Waterfront.
Waterfront. Map 2 E3.
Map 2 E3.
V&A Waterfront Tel 021 419 2121.
Streetwires Tel 021 421 2788.
Map 2 D3.
Tel 021 408 7600.
77 Shortmarket St, Homeware The Shipwreck Shop
Bo-Kaap. Map 5 B1. and Gifts Mariner’s Wharf,
Markets Tel 021 426 2475. Hout Bay Harbour.
@ Home
Breakwater Centre , Break- Tel 021 790 1100.
Bay Harbour Market Books and Music water Boulevard, V&A
31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay. Uwe Koetter
Waterfront. Map 1 B1. Alfred Mall, V&A
Tel 083 275 5586. African Music Store
Tel 021 418 4210. Waterfront.
Greenmarket Square 134 Long St. Map 5 B1.
Carrol Boyes Map 2 E4.
Between Shortmarket & Tel 021 426 0857.
Victoria Wharf, V&A Tel 021 421 1039.
Longmarket sts.
Clarke’s Bookshop Waterfront. Map 2 E3.
Map 5 B1.
199 Long St. Map 5 B1. Tel 021 418 0595. Clothes and
Kirstenbosch Craft Accessories
Tel 021 423 5739. Clementina Ceramics
and Food Market The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Cape Union Mart
Cnr Kirstenbosch Dr and Exclusive Books Albert Rd, Woodstock. Quay 4, V&A Waterfront.
Rhodes Ave, Newlands. Tel 011 798 0111. Tel 021 447 1398. Map 2 E3.
Tel 071 480 5836.
Kirstenbosch Mr Price Home Tel 021 425 4559.
Milnerton Flea Dreyer St, Claremont.
National Botanical Hilton Weiner
Market Tel 021 671 0810.
Marine Drive, Milnerton.
Garden Cavendish Sq,
Rhodes Drive, Newlands. SAM Dreyer St, Claremont.
Tel 021 551 7879.
Tel 021 799 8783. 67–69 Shortmarket St. Tel 021 683 3069.
Red Shed Craft Tel 083 690 6476.
Workshop KLûK CGDT
Musica
V&A Waterfront. Antiques and 43–45 Bree St.
Cavendish Sq,
Map 2 D3. Jewellery Map 5 A1.
Dreyer St, Claremont. Tel 083 377 7780.
Tel 021 408 7600.
Tel 021 683 0665. Burr & Muir
The Watershed Naartjie
Cnr Strand and Hudson
V&A Waterfront. Reader’s Den sts, De Waterkant. Map 2
Victoria Wharf,
Map 2 D3. Main Rd, Claremont. D5. Tel 021 418 1269. V&A Waterfront.
Tel 021 408 7600. Tel 021 671 9551. Map 1 B1.
Church Street Tel 021 421 5819.
African Crafts Select Books Antique Market
Church St Mall. Map 5 B1. The Space
232 Long St. Map 5 B1.
African Image Tel 021 438 8566. Cavendish Sq,
Tel 021 424 6955. Dreyer St, Claremont.
Cnr Church & Burg sts. The Diamond Works
Map 5 B1. Wordsworth Books Tel 021 674 6643.
7 Walter Sisulu Ave.
Tel 021 423 8385. Gardens Centre, Gardens. Map 2 E5. Tel 021 425 Woolworths
Africa Nova Map 5 B3. 1970. Victoria Wharf, V&A
Cape Quarter, Green Tel 021 461 8464. Kay’s Antiques Waterfront.
Point. Map 2 D5. Cavendish Sq, Dreyer St, Map 1 B1.
Tel 021 425 5123. Food and Wine Claremont. Tel 021 415 3411.
Heartworks Tel 021 671 8998. Young Designers
Caroline’s Fine Wine
Shop 51B, Gardens Long Street Antique Emporium (YDE)
Centre, Gardens. Cellar Arcade Cavendish Sq,
Map 4 F3. 62 Strand St.. Map 5 B1. 127 Long St. Map 5 A2. Dreyer St, Claremont.
Tel 021 465 3289. Tel 021 419 8984. Tel 021 423 2504. Tel 021 683 6177.
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170 CAPE TOWN
ENTERTAINMENT IN
CAPE TOWN
Much of Cape Town’s leisure activity centres comedy. Cape Town has its own original form
on the beaches and mountains, but the city is of jazz, which can be heard in many of the
developing a fine reputation for its nightlife restaurants, bars and clubs in and around
and vibrant cultural events. Some of the best Long Street. Capetonians are known to be
entertainment is found alfresco, with buskers laid-back, and enjoy dinner followed by a
and local beat dancers fighting it out on the visit to the cinema, but the city also caters
streets of the city. The grand flagship venue is for serious clubbers. Much of the action
the Artscape Theatre Centre, which attracts is concentrated on the trendy clubs and
audiences to local and international music bars in the city centre and at the
performances, dance, cabaret, theatre and V&A Waterfront.
Information
For details of entertainment
in the city, check the daily and
weekend newspapers. They
review and list events in the
cinema, arts and theatre.
Good choices include the Cape
Times, Cape Argus on Tuesdays,
Mail & Guardian on Fridays and
the Weekend Argus. The Cape
radio station Good Hope FM
mentions events from time to
time, and the websites Cape Computicket booking office, V&A Waterfront
Town Magazine and What’s
On in Cape Town are great Booking Tickets collected from these outlets
resources for listings, reviews Computicket is South Africa’s or can be printed at home. A
and ideas of what to do and see. nationwide booking agency credit or debit card is required,
For details of nightlife for all concerts, theatre which also means you can
events, flyers are the best bet performances and live book tickets prior to your arrival
and are found all over the city. performances, plus events and in South Africa, but cash is
Try www.capetownlive.com sports fixtures. It has a also accepted at the outlets.
for more information. Many comprehensive website for Alternatively, tickets can
venues have leaflets about online booking, or you can be purchased directly at
forthcoming attractions, and phone its call centre. In the venues.
the major venues have addition, tickets can be
information telephone lines and purchased via mobile phone
websites. For information on all using the Computicket Disabled Visitors
live performances, check mobisite, or by visiting one of In general, most public
Computicket (see Booking the branches in the major buildings, museums and top
Tickets, right), and for any other shopping malls, or any branch visitor attractions cater for
specific questions, Cape Town of Shoprite and Checkers wheelchair-users. Many of the
Tourism is also very helpful. supermarkets. Tickets can be theatres, including Artscape
and the Baxter, as well as
some Ster-Kinekor and
Nu Metro cinemas, have
spaces at the back or sides of
the auditoriums that can
comfortably accommodate
wheelchairs. Most also have
dedicated parking, adapted
toilets and a lift from the
entrance. For rock and pop
concerts, Cape Town Stadium
(and South Africa’s other large
stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup) has special areas
The Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch for wheelchair-users and their
E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N C A P E TO W N 171
Free Entertainment
The St George’s Cathedral
Choir gives performances
free of charge – contact them
for details or check with
Computicket. From time to
time, there are free lunchtime
concerts at the Baxter Theatre
(see p172), showcasing the work
of students from Cape Town
University’s South African Summer concert, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
College of Music.
During the summer months, a great event for families, and pre-performance picnic and
the V&A Waterfront spectators will enjoy the fresh perhaps a bottle of wine to
Amphitheatre is an excellent air and attractive surroundings. enjoy on the lawns.
spot for free live entertainment, Warm clothing is an essential
from concerts and recitals to precaution as the weather can
puppet shows and important change suddenly. Cinema
sports matches on the big In January and February, Mainstream Hollywood movies
screen. Performances usually performances under the stars are shown at Cape Town’s multi-
start from 4pm and a calendar are held at Maynardville screen Ster-Kinekor and Nu
can be found on the website. Open-Air Theatre in the park Metro cinema complexes in the
Also around the V&A Waterfront, of the same name in the larger shopping malls. There are
visitors are entertained by a Southern Suburbs. Artscape screenings throughout the day,
number of professional busker holds its annual Shakespeare- and a food court for popcorn
groups including marimba in-the-Park here, and there are and soft drinks. More intimate,
bands and acrobats. some wonderful ballet though more expensive, Cine
performances by the Cape Prestige at Cavendish Square,
Town City Ballet. also operated by Ster-Kinekor,
Open-Air Entertainment Concerts in the Park is a has reclining seats, side tables
From December to March, popular free summer programme with refrigerated cup holders
Kirstenbosch National Botanical by local bands. They are held in and waiter service for
Garden (see pp164–5) hosts the De Waal Park in Oranjezicht on refreshments. Nu Metro offers
Summer Sunset Concert series Sunday afternoons from SCENE, a similar luxury cinema
where a wide variety of music is November to March. at the V&A Waterfront.
presented, from pop and rock to All these open-air events are Art-house cinemas in Cape
the Cape Town Philharmonic very special and many theatre- Town specialize in thought-
and Carols by Candlelight. This is and concert-goers take along a provoking independent films
along with international art
releases. Cinema Nouveau at
the V&A Waterfront and
Cavendish Square offer
refreshing alternatives to the
usual Hollywood fare. The
charming Labia Theatre,
originally an Italian embassy
ballroom, has operated as an
art-house cinema since the
1970s and caters for the more
discerning viewer.
For an exclusive experience,
consider dinner followed by a
private movie screening while
enjoying dessert at the
16-seater cinema at The Twelve
Open-air concert at the Amphitheatre, the V&A Waterfront Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay.
www.ebook3000.com
172 CAPE TOWN
Comedy
At Evita se Perron in the town
of Darling (see p215), a short
drive from Cape Town, the
cutting wit of Pieter-Dirk Uys
launches amusing attacks on
current political issues. Set in a
restored pump house at the
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and choir at the City Hall V&A Waterfront, the Cape Town
Comedy Club is the brainchild
Classical Music such as War Horse, Cats and of South African comedian Kurt
and Opera The Sound of Music, as well as Schoonraad. Entertainment
Cape Town City Hall offers big touring shows. A calendar includes established comedians,
classical music and opera of events is available from the and open-mike sessions and
performances in majestic box office. patrons can dine here, too.
surroundings. The Artscape Another theatre and dance
Theatre Centre is the home of venue is the Baxter Theatre
the Cape Town Philharmonic Centre in Rondebosch. The
Orchestra, which usually gives Main Theatre shows mainstream
performances on Thursday productions, whereas the
evenings. Occasionally, rather intimate Studio Theatre hosts
different concert venues are more challenging works. The
chosen, such as the Two Oceans Theatre on the Bay in Camps
Aquarium or the South African Bay offers a good mix of popular
Museum. The Artscape stages musicals, revues, cabaret and
opera and musicals, as well as light comedy. The Fugard
popular lunchtime and Sunday Theatre, named after one of
afternoon concerts. There are South Africa’s best-known Dinner show at the Crypt Jazz Restaurant
1,500 seats in the Opera House playwrights, is located in a
and the view is exceptional historical District Six warehouse.
from every angle. It offers a broad spectrum of Jazz, African and
The Baxter Theatre Centre performances from serious Rock Music
is where the South African plays to comical satire. In the Cape Town’s unique, indigenous
College of Music performs its Southern Suburbs, the old Kalk style of jazz is heavily influenced
repertoire of chamber music, Bay Dutch Reformed Church by traditional African sounds.
string ensembles, organ recitals has been converted into the A fashionable spot is the
and orchestral productions. It is Kalk Bay Theatre and Winchester Mansions Hotel,
also the venue for recitals by restaurant. With only 77 seats, it which has Sunday brunch with
visiting soloists and chamber hosts intimate performances of live jazz. The Crypt Jazz
ensembles, and it hosts music, drama and comedy. Restaurant is in the historic
occasional lunchtime concerts. In addition to the impressive stone crypt below St George’s
Cape Town Opera, with its Cape Town City Ballet, Cape Cathedral (hence the name),
impressive soloists and chorus, Town has a great variety of jazz, and the circular stage plays host
creates an inspiring listening contemporary dance and hip to performances by local and
experience. They perform at the
Artscape and Baxter and give
additional performances at the
V&A Waterfront in February.
Children’s
Entertainment
There is no need to worry that
children will be bored in Cape
Town. In addition to the Long Street has some of the best bars and clubs in Cape Town
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174 CAPE TOWN
DIRECTORY
Information Labia Theatre Theatre on the Bay 3200. ∑ ctsc.org.za
68 Orange St, Gardens. Link St, Camps Bay. Tel 021
Cape Town Magazine 438 3301. ∑ theatre The Ice Station
Map 5 A2. Tel 021 424
∑ capetownmagazine. onthebay.co.za Grandwest Casino, 1
5927. ∑ labia.co.za
com Vanguard Dr, Goodwood
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Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
EE Blockhouse
Blockhouse
Queen’s
Queen’s
Blockhouse
Blockhouse
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182 CAPE TOWN STREET FINDER
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THE WESTERN
& SOUTHERN
CAPE
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186 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
THE WEST
A myriad of COAST
wildflowers occur in (See pp210–21)
this region after good
Calvinia
spring rains, when the
dry West Coast comes
alive with colour.
Langebaan
Malmesbury
Worcester THE
Cape Columbine light Table
Paarl SOUTHERN CAPE
house on the West Coast Bay (See pp222–35)
THE CAPE
warns ships of the danger- WINELANDS Riversdale
Cape Town
ous rocks along the shore. (See pp190–209) Swellendam
It was the last manned
lighthouse to be built Simon’s Town
in South Africa. Hermanus St Sebastian
Bay
Gansbaai Arniston
Locator Map
Prince Albert
Grahamstown
THE GARDEN ROUTE
TO GRAHAMSTOWN
(See pp236–57) Port Alfred
Oudtshoorn Uitenhage Alexandria
Tsitsikamma Algoa Bay
George
Port
Plettenberg Elizabeth
Bay
Mossel
Bay
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188 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Pinotage Wine-Making
Pinotage is a unique South African cultivar developed in 1925 by
Stellenbosch University professor Abraham Perold, from a cross
of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (then called Hermitage). The world’s first
commercially bottled Pinotage was released in 1961 under the
Lanzerac label. The fruity, purple-red wine has since then achieved
international acclaim. Pinotage comprises only a small percentage
of South Africa’s total grape plantings, with most of the crop grown Old grape press in the
around Stellenbosch. There are small Pinotage plantings outside Stellenryck Museum,
South Africa, notably in California and New Zealand. Stellenbosch
Fermentation
tank
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190 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Whale-Watching
Some 37 whale and dolphin species and around 100 different
types of shark occur in southern African waters. Only a small Alexander
Bay
number come in close to the coast, however. Of the dolphins, Durban
Lambert’s
T
bottlenose, common and Heaviside’s are the most prolific,
AS
Bay CO
LD
WI
while common predatory sharks include the great white, Cape Plettenberg
Bay
Agulhas
tiger, ragged-tooth, oceanic white tip, bull (Zambezi) and
mako. A large portion of the world’s 4,000–6,000 southern Whale-Watching
right whales migrates north annually, with numbers Best vantage points
increasing by seven per cent every year. They leave their
subantarctic feeding grounds from June onwards to mate
and calve in the warmer waters of the protected rocky bays
and inlets that occur along the South African coastline. An albino calf was born in
Hermanus in 1997.
Whale Antics
The reasons for some types of whale behaviour
are, as yet, unclear. Breaching, for example, may
either indicate aggression or joyfulness – it
may also simply help the animal to get rid
of lice.
Whale Exploitation
In the years from 1785 to around 1805, some
12,000 southern right whales were killed off the
southern African coast, but the northern right
whale was the most ruthlessly hunted and is
virtually extinct today. After the introduction of
cannon-fired harpoons, humpbacks were the first
large whale to be exploited. Some 25,000 were
killed between 1908 and 1925. By 1935, when the
League of Nations’ Convention for the Regulation
of Whaling came into effect, fewer than 200
southern right whales remained in southern
African waters. Although numbers are increasing
steadily, today’s total population is only a fraction
of what it once was. Early whalers in False Bay
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THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE 193
Stellenbosch was the first of the wineland traditions. The cool mountain and
towns to be established by Simon van der sea breezes create diverse conditions,
Stel, who had succeeded Jan van Riebeeck and variable soil types – from the acidic
as governor in 1679. After van der Stel and sandy alluvial soils of Stellenbosch to
visited the area in November of that year the lime-rich soils of Robertson – ensure
and proclaimed it to be well watered and a wide range of superb wines, both red
fertile, the first free burghers (early Dutch and white, making South Africa the
settlers who were granted tracts of land, world’s ninth-largest producer.
together with implements and oxen to Most of the historic wine estates
help them establish farms) were sent to have been lovingly restored, and almost
this valley to start a new life. Settlement all offer tastings – their wines may be
in the Franschhoek valley followed with enjoyed on the sunny lawns of a beautiful
the arrival of the French Huguenots Cape Dutch manor house or in the cool
(Protestant refugees from Europe), and cellars among the vats. Many estates also
later, Dutch as well as French pioneers offer gourmet restaurants, and others
who established themselves in the Paarl have accommodation that varies from
area. The temperate Mediterranean luxury hotels in sublime Winelands
climate of the Cape has ensured the settings to simple country cottages
survival of the early wine-making next to the vines.
Typical Cape Dutch gabling and thatched roof on a wine estate manor house
Vines flourishing in the shelter of the mountains at Stellenbosch, the heart of the Cape Winelands
www.ebook3000.com
194 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Citrusdal
Prince Alfred
Hamlet
Ceres
Wolseley Michells
Pass
r
vie
xri
He
Wellington
Eight Restaurant at Spier Wine Estate offers WORCESTER
farm-style outdoor eating Rawsonville
Du Toit’s
Kloof Pass
PAARL PAARL Brandvlei
WINELANDS
Moordkuil
Kraaifontein
Cape
BOSCHENDAL
MANOR HOUSE
WESTER
Town TOKARA
FRANSCHHOEK
STELLENBOSCH Helshoogte Pass
STELLENBOSCH
SPIER WINE WINELANDS Villiersdorp
ESTATE
Bereaville
VERGELEGEN Genad
Somerset West
Sir Lowry's Pass
Strand
Grabouw
Gordon's
Bay
Houhoek Pass
Botrivier Caledon
Hermanus
Sights at a Glance
0 kilometres 25
1 Stellenbosch pp196–9 q Robertson
0 miles 15
3 Spier Wine Estate w Montagu
4 Tokara
Tours and Trails
5 Vergelegen
6 Boschendal Manor House pp202–203 2 Stellenbosch Winelands p200
7 Franschhoek 9 Paarl Winelands Tour p207
8 Paarl e Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail p209
0 Worcester
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp385–6 and pp402–3
THE CAPE WINELANDS 195
Getting Around
The Winelands are served by two major national routes, the
N1 and N2. All of the connecting principal roads are clearly
signposted. Franschhoek, Paarl and Worcester are accessed
from the N1, Stellenbosch from either the N1 or N2 national
route. Robertson is reached from Worcester via the R60.
The scenic mountain passes are well worth an excursion
and your own transport is essential if you wish to tour these
areas. Alternatively, visitors can join one of the coach tours
organized by major tour operators in Cape Town. Cape
Town International is the closest airport.
Hottentotskloof
d
Laingsburg
2251m Verkeerdevlei
Dam Touws River
Hex River
Pass
g Matroosberg
b er
De Doorns
RN CAPE Ashton
Vrolijkheid
Nature Reserve Swellendam
McGregor
BOESMANSKLOOF
HIKING TRAIL
dendal Greyton
Swellendam
Key
Motorway
Major road
Minor road
Untarred road
Scenic route
Main railway
Minor railway
Pass Rhebokskloof wine estate in Paarl has converted a cellar into a cosy wine tasting venue
For additional keys to symbols see back flap
www.ebook3000.com
196 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
VOC Kruithuis
The powder magazine of
the VOC (Dutch East India
Company) was built in
1777 to defend the early
settlement. It now houses
a small military museum. K
AR T
M REE
ST
Tourist information
ET
. Oom Samie se Winkel RE
ST
In this “olde-worlde” village store (see p198) RP
H AS T R
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
IG ET
Libertas
E
Transport
k Cape Town. £ & @ Adam KEY
0 metres 250
Tas Rd. Suggested route
0 yards 250
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp385–6 and pp402–3
STELLENBOSCH 197
ET
St Mary’s-on-the-Braak
This church adjoins the town
square, The Braak (fallow
land). Laid out in 1703, it was
used as a parade ground.
BI
Sasol Art
RD
N
EI ET
ET
PL RE
ST
THE
BR AAK
BL
OM
Village
ST
C H Museum and
RE
U RE E T
C HT R
ET
Moederkerk
S
BI
Strand and
Somerset West
PIE
T R
ET
IEF
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198 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Y Stellenbosch University
Botanical Garden
Neethling St. Tel 021 808 3054.
Open Open 8am–5pm daily. - =
∑ sun.ac.za
These gardens were established
in the 1920s and have a fine
collection of ferns, orchids and
bonsai trees. The tropical and
succulent plants are housed in
four glasshouses. There is a
pleasant tearoom under the The sandstone mountains of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
www.ebook3000.com
200 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
2 Stellenbosch Winelands
The Stellenbosch wine route was launched in
April 1971 by the vintners of three prominent
estates: Spier, Simonsig and Delheim. Today, the
route comprises a great number of estates and
cooperatives. Tasting, generally for a small fee,
and cellar tours are offered throughout the week
at most of the vineyards. A few of the estates can
be visited by appointment only and many are 7 Delheim
Particularly atmospheric is Delheim’s
closed on Sundays, so phoning ahead is advisable. wine cellar, with its brick arches,
wooden benches and mellow light.
1 Saxenburg Tel 021 888 4600.
6 Morgenhof
First established as a farm in Established in 1692, this 5 Thelema
1693, today the terroir at historic farm is owned by A family-run estate,
Saxenburg is perfectly suited the Cointreau family of Thelema is in a particularly
to Shiraz and it wins many Cognac, in France. scenic location at the top
accolades for its wines. Tel 021 889 2007. of the Helshoogte Pass.
Tel 021 903 6113. Paarl Tel 021 885 1924.
Cape Town
Klapmuts
Kanonkop
Muratie
Simonsig
Boschendal
Thelema
Mountains
Kuilsrivier Stellenbosch
Bergkelder
2 Neethlingshof
A famous avenue Lanzerac
S.F.W
of pines leads to
Neil Ellis
the gabled home- Esrsterivier
stead (1705), the
central motif on the
estate’s wine labels.
Tel 021 883 8988.
Alto
er
e Riv
Key
rst
Motorway
Established by golfer
Tour route Somerset Ernie Els, the estate
Other roads West has a room displaying
his golfing trophies.
Tel 021 881 3588.
0 kilometres 5
0 miles 3
Strand
KEY
1 Brick-paved courtyard
2 Rounded pilasters supported
the end gables. The front and back
pilasters have a more classic design.
3 The sash windows are all
mounted by similarly curved
mouldings that reflect the shape
of the gables.
4 The reception room has
an original section of the 1812
wall frieze.
5 The drop-fanlight had to be
raised to allow visitors to enter.
. Master Bedroom
This antique stinkwood four-poster bed was
crafted in 1810 by local artisans. It is decorated
with a hand-crocheted lace hanging and a light,
embroidered cotton bedspread, both
of which date from around 1820.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp385–6 and pp402–3
THE CAPE WINELANDS 203
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map B5. On R45 from
Stellenbosch. Tel 021 870 4200.
Open 9:30am–5pm daily; wine
tastings: 10am–4:30pm daily.
& 8 Vineyard tours: 11:30am
daily (Nov–Apr); cellar tours:
10:30am, noon, 1:30pm &
3pm daily. 7 0 - =
∑ boschendal.com
. Kitchen
The original clay floor was washed
with a mixture of water and cow
dung to keep it cool and vermin-free.
Walls were painted dark brown or
red to hide the dirt.
Long-Case Clock
This Dutch long-case clock was made by
Carol Willem Bakker of Groningen, in the
Netherlands, in the late 18th century.
. Sitting Room
A gabled beefwood and stinkwood
cabinet-on-stand is the focal point of
the sitting room, which is resplendent with
Cape, Dutch and East Indian furniture.
Friezes
Painted wall decoration using oil-based pigments
is a craft believed to derive from Europe. Pilasters
and swags would feature in reception and dining
rooms, entwined roses in drawing rooms and, in
less important rooms, a dado of a single colour
on a plain background would suffice. The original
1812 wall frieze (in the reception rooms) of black
acorns and green leaves was discovered during
restoration of Boschendal in 1975.
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204 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Haute Cabrière
Lambrechts Rd. Tel 021 876 2630.
Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm
Sat, 11am– 4pm Sun.& 8 Cellar
tours: 11am Mon–Sat 7 0
∑ cabriere.co.za
E Franschhoek Motor
Museum
L’Ormarins Wine Estate, on the R45
outside Franschhoek. Tel 021 874
A collection of period furniture in the Franschhoek Huguenot Museum 9000. Open 10am–5pm daily (to 4pm
Sat–Sun). & ∑ fmm.co.za
Exploring Franschhoek After an interesting cellar tour, a The museum charts the evolu
Upon arrival, the town’s French sommelier cleanly shears the tion of the automobile with a
heritage is immediately evident neck off a bottle of Pierre collection of some 220 vehicles,
in lilting names such as Jourdan sparkling wine with a more than 80 of which will be
L’Ormarins and Haute Cabrière. sabre, an old technique known as on show at any one time.
The main attraction, besides an sabrage, before serving the wine.
exquisite setting, is its gourmet Visible at the top end of the E Huguenot Memorial
cuisine, accompanied by the main street is the Huguenot Museum
area’s excellent wines. Around Monument, unveiled in 1948 to Lambrecht St. Tel 021 876 2532.
30 restaurants (see p402) offer commemorate the arrival of the Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, 2–5pm
superb Malay, country and French settlers. A wide, semi Sun. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec.
Provençale dishes. circular colonnade frames three & 7 = ∑ museum.co.za
Franschhoek’s wine route tall arches representing the Holy This museum celebrates
was established in 1980 by Trinity. Before them is the figure the history and genealogy
Michael Trull, a former advertis of a woman standing on a of the Cape’s Huguenot
ing executive. He formed the globe, with her feet on France. families and their descendants.
Vignerons de Franschhoek, Of special note is a copy of
with five founder cellars – the Edict of Nantes (1598),
today there are 20 estates. which permitted freedom
A unique experience is a visit of worship to Protestants in
to the Haute Cabrière estate. France, and a fine collection
of old Bibles, including
one printed in 1636.
Restaurants in Franschhoek
exude typical French joie de vivre
and ambience.
Rocco Catoggio (1788–1858),
a settler from Italy, who is depicted
here with his grandson Rocco
Cartozia de Villiers, married into a
prominent Huguenot family.
www.ebook3000.com
206 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
In 1687, farms were allocated to early Dutch colonists in the Practical Information
pretty Berg River Valley, which is flanked to the north by Paarl Road map: B5. On the N1.
* 150,000. n 216 Main Rd, 021
Mountain. The name Paarl comes from the Dutch peerlbergh 872 4842. Open 8am–5pm Mon–
(pearl mountain), given to the outcrops by early Dutch Fri, 10am–1pm Sat, Sun & public
explorer Abraham Gabbema when he spotted the three hols. _ Nederburg Wine Auction
smooth domes after a rain shower. Mica chips embedded in (Apr). ∑ paarlonline.com
the granite glistened in the sun, giving it the appearance of a Transport
shiny pearl. The town of Paarl was established in 1690. k Cape Town 56 km (35 miles)
SW. £ Paarl Station, Lady Grey
St. @ Shell petrol station, cnr
Main Rd and South St.
1 Rhebokskloof Estate
This estate is named after Wellington
the rhebok antelope that
once lived in its valleys.
Tel 021 869 8386.
rg
Be
in
Paarl Mounta
Worcester
MAIN STREET
2 Fairview
The estate’s Saanen Paarl Rock
goats can climb and Paarl
Du Toitskloof Pass
enter this tower via a Afrikaans
spiralling wooden ramp. Language ns
Delicious goat’s milk Monument K.W.V Mt
te in
cheeses are sold. Laborie k ens
ra
Tel 021 863 2450. in D
Kle
4 Avondale
A top-quality organic
producer, Avondale allows
its wines to develop as
Simonsvlei naturally as possible.
Tel 021 863 1976.
Cape
Town Tips for Drivers
Getting there: From Cape Town
Stellenbosch Franschhoek take exit 55 off the N1. This joins
0 kilometres 3
the R45, which then becomes
Paarl’s Main Street.
0 miles 2 Stopping-off points: Most
3 Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons estates have restaurants, including
Key Forged by two powerful families, Fairview and Nederburg.
R&R combines French and local Tour length: Depends on how
Motorway
wine-making on the historic many of the estates are visited
Tour route Huguenot farm of Fredericksburg. (best limited to three or four).
Other roads Tel 021 874 1648.
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208 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
E Worcester Museum
Road map B5. N1, signposted
The road to Worcester goes through the scenic Du Toitskloof Pass from Worcester. Tel 023 342 2225.
Open 8am–4:30pm Mon–Fri, 8am–
0 Worcester The attraction of a trip to 1pm Sat. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec,
1 Jan. ∑ worcestermuseum.org.za
Road map B5. N1 from Cape Town
Worcester is the drive through
via Dutoitskloof Pass. * 97,000. the Du Toitskloof Pass, which
£ Worcester Station. n 25 Baring climbs to a height of 823 m Environs
St, 023 348 2795. Open Mon–Sat. (2,700 ft). Construction of the The Karoo Desert National
Huguenot Tunnel in 1988 short- Botanical Garden, a short drive
This city, named after the Marquis ened the pass by 11 km (7 miles), north of Worcester, contains
of Worcester, the brother of one- but the route still affords scenic plants that thrive in a semi-
time Cape governor views of Paarl and the Berg River desert environment. Jewel-
Lord Charles Somerset, Valley. At Church Square bright mesembryanthemums
lies some 110 km in Worcester, there is a are lovely in spring, while the
(68 miles) east of Garden of Remem- unusual year-round species
Cape Town. It is the brance designed include the prehistoric
biggest centre by Hugo Naude, welwitschias, and the halfmens
in the Breede the World War I (half-humans) and quiver trees.
River Valley and Memorial and One area features plants
the largest a stone cairn grouped by regional and
producer of erected at the climatic zones. The succulent
table grapes in time of the sym- plant collection, the largest
South Africa. Its bolic Ossewa (ox in Africa, is ranked by the
wineries produce a wagon) Trek of Organization for Succulent
substantial amount of Old water pump 1938 (see p58), Plant Study as one of the most
wine too, and Worcester in Worcester undertaken to authentic of its kind in the
is known for everyday commemorate the world. There is also a trail with
affordable reds, whites and Great Trek (see pp54–5). Braille text signs.
fortified wines. Eleven Worcester’s Dutch Reformed
estates on the Worcester Church was built in 1832. Y Karoo Desert National
Wine and Olive Route are The imposing Gothic-style Botanical Garden
open for tastings and cellar steeple was added in 1927 Roux Rd, Worcester. Tel 023 347 0785.
tours, most in the Breede after the original was blown Open 7am–7pm daily. 8 & (Aug–
River Valley. away in gales. Oct only.) 7 0 = ∑ sanbi.org
Bonnievale
Tak
s
ier
Riv Getting there: R21 from
Robertson, or N2 to Caledon,
take the McGregor turnoff.
Caledon and Swellendam Best time: Avoid Jun–Aug. Book
permits three months ahead with
Key
Cape Nature (www.capenature.
0 kilometres 4 Tarred road co.za). Tel (023) 6251621.
0 miles 2 Trail
The West Coast extends north of Cape The upwelling of the Atlantic Ocean’s cold
Town to the Namibian border, where the Benguela Current along the coast brings
fringes of the Namib desert epitomize the rich phytoplanktonic nutrients to the
extremes of this vast, rain-deprived area. surface, attracting vast shoals of pelagic
The arid, bleak and infertile vegetation fish. This harvest from the sea supports an
zones support only hardy, drought- important fishing industry in the Western
resistant succulents and geophytes Cape. Saldanha Bay, a rather unappealing
(plants whose bulbs, corms or tubers industrial town, is the fishing and seafood
store water and nutrients). The fynbos area processing hub. It is also a major centre
south of Nieuwoudtville possesses a stark for the export of iron ore, which is mined
beauty, embodied in the weird forms of at Sishen, further inland in the Northern
the Cederberg’s outcrops that were Cape Province. Sishen is the site of the
eroded over millennia by wind and rain. largest iron ore deposits in the world.
Further inland the country’s wheatbelt The Namaqualand is an arid belt
centres on Malmesbury, and is an area of stretching north of the Cederberg almost
undulating golden corn whose texture to the Namibian border, which is marked
changes constantly with the play of light by the mighty Orange River. This belt only
on the rippling fields. Also in the interior receives about 140 mm (6 inches) of
are the West Coast wine farms around the rainfall during March and April, but the
Swartland and Sandveld. Here, the good brief downpours provide sufficient
soils, combined with a low level of rain moisture to blanket the landscape with
and warm summers, create rich and colourful blooms from August to
earthy flavours in the wines. October every year.
Fishing nets with bright yellow floats on the beach at St Helena Bay
Boats drawn up on Langebaan beach in the West Coast National Park
www.ebook3000.com
212 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
O
Sendelingsdrif
Although first appearances seem to indicate that the /Ai-/Ais/
West Coast is a hot, barren wilderness, the region is a Richtersveld
Transfrontier
magnet to visitors during the spring months (August to Kuboes
Park
Komaggas
Koingnaas
Hondeklip Bay
Sights at a Glance
1 West Coast 7 Citrusdal
2 West Coast National 8 Clanwilliam
Park pp216–17 9 Cederberg
3 Lambert’s Bay
4 Darling Driving Tour
5 Malmesbury 0 Namaqualand Tour
6 Tulbagh
Getting Around
A car is essential for touring this region as no
regular public transport service exists. Private
coach companies do operate along this section
of coast, however. During the flower season,
a large number of organized coach tours are
available from operators based in Cape Town.
The N7, a major national route, runs straight up
the West Coast from Cape Town to the Namibian
border, with main roads leading off to the coast
and interior. Between Cape Town and St Helena
Bay, the R27 offers a more scenic route with
intermittent views of the coastline. The closest
The Wolfberg Arch in the Cederberg international airport is in Cape Town.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4
THE WEST COAST 213
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
Vioolsdrif
Steinkopf
Bulletrap
Upington
Okiep
White Namaqualand daisies (Dimorphotheia pluvialis), tall yellow bulbinellas (Bulbinella
Springbok floribunda) and magenta Senecio open their petals to the sun
N A
Burke's Pass
M A
Kamieskroon
Q
U
A
Swart-d
L
A
Kliprand Key
N
Garies
oring
D
Minor road
Bo
Nariep Loeriesfontein
O
kk
Untarred road
R
U
K
eve
D o le i n
Bitterfontein rin - Scenic route
ldb
Nuwerus g
Brandkop Main railway
ut
erg
So
Doring Bay
W ESTER N Doringbos
C A PE Uitspankraal
LAMBERT'S BAY CLANWILLIAM
Leipoldtville CE
D
Elands bay E R Wuppertal
Sandberg B
Do
Paleisheuwel
ER
r in
G
Noordkuil
rg
CITRUSDAL
tbe
Eendekuil
ke
Sku
rwe
Paternoster
Sauer
Vredenburg De Hoek
berg
Worcester
Philadelphia
T
Melkbosstrand Wellington
Bloubergstrand
Milnerton
Cape Town Lookout, West Coast National Park
For keys to symbols see back flap
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214 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
For visitors, the main attraction also produced in the region. The
is Bird Island, about 100 m Swartland Wine and Olive Route
(328 ft) offshore. It is accessible includes 20 estates and coops
via a breakwater-cum-harbour that are open for tastings and
wall. The island is a breeding sales around the Riebeek Valley,
ground for thousands of African Malmesbury, Piketberg and
penguins, Cape cormorants and Porterville.
the striking Cape gannet with
its yellow-painted face. There is O Swartland Wine and
a small museum, and a viewing Olive Route
tower allows visitors to remain Cnr Church and Voortrekker sts.
unobtrusive while observing the Tel 022 487 1133. Open Mon–Sat. &
∑ swartlandwineandolives.co.za.
birds’ behaviour.
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216 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Plankiesbaai
Stoney Head
J
Seabirds
Langebaan Lagoon, 15 km Kreeftebaai
(9 miles) long, and with an
average depth of 1 m (3 ft), Vondeling
J
offers a sheltered haven for a Island
great number of seabirds,
including waders, gulls,
flamingoes and pelicans.
Resident and migrant species
take advantage of the
Kraalbaai
Atlantic’s nutrient-rich water
to rear their chicks. White Pelicans
ch
Langebaan Lagoon is home to one of only a
handful of white pelican breeding colonies in Bea
M il e
Hartlaub’s
gulls are
endemic
to the West
Bird
Coast and forage Hide
J
for food along the
shore in the early J
J
Atlantic
Bird
Viewpoint
morning hours. Hide
. Geelbek Homestead
Lesser flamingoes, The visitor centre has
distinguished from greater information on the fauna,
flamingoes by their flora and ecology of the park.
smaller size Bird-watchers can observe
and red many different species from
bill, often the nearby hide, and there is
congregate also a restaurant specializing
in large in traditional Cape cooking.
flocks.
Yzerfontein
0 kilometres 5 J
West Coast
0 miles 2.5 Gate
Capetown
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4
THE WEST COAST 217
A t l a nt ic VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Ocean Saldanha
Practical Information
Road map A5. Gates on the R27
and Langebaan. n (022) 772-
Malgas Island
2144. Open Sep–Mar: 7am–7pm
daily; Apr–Aug: 7am–6pm daily.
Postberg Nature Reserve:
Open only during flower season
Jutten Island Marcus Island (usually Aug–Sep).
∑ sanparks.org
Jutten Bay S a ld a nh a
Ba y
Restricted
Military Area
Salamander Bay
Club Mykonos
J
Postberg Schaapen
Island
Nature
Reserve Langebaan Club Mykonos
Located at the water’s edge north of the
lagoon is this attractive Mediterranean-style
hotel and timeshare resort. The complex offers
Kraalbaai Langebaan self-contained units with balconies.
Gate
La nge b aa n
La g oon Bird
hide
West Coast
National Park
Watersports at Langebaan
Almost year-round sunshine, safe waters and reliable
winds make Langebaan Lagoon ideal for watersports,
particularly kite- and wind-suring, kayaking, water-
skiing and sailing. Watersports centres in the town
rent out equipment and offer lessons. In order to
protect the natural environment without curtailing
Key the activities of other interest groups, the lagoon has
Tarred road been zoned into three recreational areas: in the north
all watersports are allowed; the central part is out of
Untarred road
bounds for motorboats and fishing; and no activities
Trail Catamaran on the beach are permitted in the southern wilderness area.
Major Road
Hiking
Paths made by woodcutters
some 100 years ago now
provide access for hikers.
Cederberg Cedar
Some 8,000 trees are planted
annually to ensure the survival
of this endemic species. The
cedars were once widely used
to make telephone poles.
Wolfberg Cracks
Lovely views greet hikers Wolfberg Arch
at the Wolfberg Cracks, The majestic Wolfberg
a 75minute walk from Arch is the Cederberg’s
the Wolfberg Arch. most unique formation.
A favourite with photo
graphers, it provides a
natural frame for
Bizarre rock memorable images.
sculptures
supported on
brittle pillars. The arch, 30 m (98 ft) high, overlooks
Cracks are caused by
the expansion and a region known as the Tankwa Karoo.
contraction of the rock.
Erosion
Over aeons, wind and water
have carved the Cederberg into
a fairytale landscape. Pinnacles,
arches and fissures resemble the
strange castles of another world,
while the rock outcrops seem
alive with gargoyles and goblins.
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220 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
0 Namaqualand Tour
Keetmanshoop
Namaqualand, an area of about 48,000 sq km
O
(18,500 sq miles), from the Orange River in the
ra
nge
north to the mouth of the Olifants River in the
south, is a region of sharp contrasts. In spring, this Alexander Vioolsdrif
J
Bay
scrub-covered, arid land blazes with colour – from
fuchsia pinks to neon yellows and oranges – as a
myriad daisies and flowering succulents open
their petals to the sun. The seeds of the drought- Steinkopf
resistant plants lie dormant in the soil during the
dry months, but if the first rains (usually around
March and April) are good, they burst into bloom
from August to October. Springbok
Kamieskroon
Hondeklip Bay
Groen
1 Tienie Versfeld
Wildflower Reserve
After attending the
Darling wild flower
and orchid shows,
visitors can drive to this
nearby reserve and view
expanses of wild flowers in their natural
habitat. Namaqualand’s best displays vary
from season to season, depending on the
J
rainfall patterns.
Saldanha
Upington
4 Vanrhynsdorp
This town is situated
0 kilometres 50
in the stony Knersvlakte
0 miles 25 (a name that literally
translates as “gnashing
plains”). Spring ushers in
Nieuwoudtville dramatic displays of
Calvinia
succulents such as
J
ts
an vygies, and annuals
f
Oli
Clanwilliam
Doring
rb
erg one to three days. Contact Cape
M o u n t a i ns Town Tourism for details of tour
Citrusdal operators.
St Helena When to go: Flowers bloom
Bay
Aug–Oct. Call Namaqualand
Tourism for the best viewing
Ceres areas. Flowers open only on
Piketberg
sunny days, and are best
Langebaan between 11am and 4pm; drive
Be
rg
West Coast
with the sun behind you and
National Park 3 Biedouw Valley the flowers facing you.
Darling This valley is famous for its Where to stay and eat: Each
J
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THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE 223
The quaint seaside towns of the Southern other wildlife also roamed the area – in
Cape lie in a region known as the Over- fact, the pass follows an ancient migratory
berg, which extends east of the Hottentots trail, named gantouw (eland’s path) by the
Holland Mountains, and is defined to the indigenous peoples. As the settlers
north by the Riviersonderend Mountains penetrated further into unexplored
and the Langeberg and Outeniqua ranges. territory they faced another mountain
Along the coast, the Overberg stretches to barrier: north over the Langeberg and
the mouth of the Breede River, just north Outeniqua lay the Little Karoo, protected
of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Sir Lowry’s by the Swartberg Mountains. It was in this
Pass, a circuitous road that winds high above territory that two of South Africa’s greatest
Gordon’s Bay and offers splendid views across road builders, Andrew Geddes Bain and
the False Bay coastline, is the gateway to his son, Thomas Bain, made their fame.
the Overberg. The spectacular Four Passes Tour (see
Early European settlers were prevented pp234–5) is a worthwhile excursion.
from crossing this formidable mountain Visitors can detour to the exquisite
barrier until Sir Lowry’s Pass was constructed dripstone formations of the nearby
by Major Charles Michell in 1828. Before Cango Caves or ride a giant bird at
this, the Overberg was populated by the Oudtshoorn’s ostrich farms.
nomadic Khoi (see pp50–51), who were At the coast, windswept Cape Agulhas
attracted by abundant mountain water marks the meeting point of the cold
and grazing for their herds. Elephant and Atlantic and warm Indian oceans.
Tou
w s
Boerboonfontein
Montagu
Marloth Barrydale
Nature Reserve
Wind-blown sand dunes at De Hoop Nature Reserve Tradouws Pass
SWELLENDAM
Cape Town Stormsvlei Bontebok
National Park
Sir Lowry's Pass
Lindeshof Riviersonderend
Br
Houhoek
ee
Pass
de
Viljoenshof
Pearly Beach ARNISTON
Soetendals-vlei
Struis Bay
Struis Bay
Quoin Point
CAPE AGULHAS
Getting Around
Once over Sir Lowry’s Pass, the N2 cuts across the Southern
Cape. The most scenic route to Oudtshoorn is to take the
N2 to beyond Swellendam and turn onto the R324 after
Buffelsjags, which goes via the Tradouws Pass to Barrydale.
Here it joins the R62, which heads east to Oudtshoorn, the
Cango Caves and the country’s most dramatic passes, which
are linked by the R328. All of the coastal towns are accessed
via main routes feeding off the N2. The De Hoop Nature
Reserve can be reached from both Bredasdorp and the N2.
Tour operators offer day-trips, otherwise public transport is
Rocky beach near Arniston’s cave severely limited, so a car is essential for touring this region.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4
THE SOUTHERN CAPE 225
Beaufort
0 kilometres 25 West
Kruidfontein
0 miles 25
Zwarts
Beaufort
Prince Albert West
Road
a
mk
Dwyka Seekoegat
Ga
Koup
Dwyk
Vleifontein
Laingsburg
PRINCE ALBERT
a
Rooinek Pass
wa r t be rg
G ro o t - S Klaarstroom
Swartberg
Pass CANGO CAVES
Rouxpos
rtber
g Seweweekspoort FOUR PASSE
a
Klein-Sw Pass S TOUR Meiringspoort
Amalienstein Pass
Kraaldorings Schoemanspoort
Ladismith Pass
CANGO WILDLIFE De Rust
Calitzdorp
Li RANCH Dysselsdorp
ttl Oosdam De Hoop OUDTSHOORN
e -
Plathuis Gro Ka
ot roo
Van Rooiberg
Wyksdorp Pass George
Warmwaterberg
Untarred road
ts
Vleesbaai
Vermaaklikheid
Scenic route
Witsand Gouritsmond Main railway
Still Bay
Infanta Minor railway
Cape
Cape Infanta Barracouta Summit
Pass
Sights at a Glance
1 Betty’s Bay
2 Kleinmond
3 Hermanus
4 Gansbaai
5 Bredasdorp
6 Cape Agulhas
7 Arniston
8 De Hoop Nature Reserve
9 Swellendam
0 Prince Albert
q Oudtshoorn
w Cango Wildlife Ranch
r Cango Caves
Driving Tour
e Four Passes Tour pp234–5
A group of residents at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, near Oudtshoorn
For keys to symbols see back flap
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226 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
1 Betty’s Bay
Road map B5. R44 SE of Gordon’s
Bay. * 1,400. n Protea Centre, Main
Rd, Kleinmond, 028 271 5657.
∑ ecoscape.org.za
The rocky coastline around Hermanus offers good vantage points for whale-watchers
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228 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
E Shipwreck Museum
Independent St. Tel 028 424 1240.
Open 9am–4:45pm Mon–Fri, 9am–
2:45pm Sat, 10:30am–12:30pm Sun.
Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec, 1 Jan. &
This museum was officially
opened in April 1975 and is
housed in an old rectory and
church hall, both of which have
been declared national
monuments. The rectory, built
in 1845, is furnished in the style
of a 19th-century townhouse
Coming face to face with a great white on a shark-diving expedition typical of South Africa’s
southern coast. The interiors
4 Gansbaai feature is the Shipwreck and furnishings contain artifacts
Road map B5. R43 SE of Hermanus.
Museum, which pays tribute to from the many shipwrecks that
* 11,600. n Kapokblom St, the southern coast’s tragic occurred along this capricious
028 384 1439. Open daily. 4 history. This treacherous length stretch of coastline. The
∑ gansbaaiinfo.com of coastline has been labelled salvaged wood, as well as ships’
the “graveyard of ships” as its decor, frequently appear in
The name Gansbaai (Bay of rocky reefs, gale-force winds door and window frames and
Geese) originates from the and powerful currents make it in the ceiling rafters.
flocks of Egyptian geese that one of the most The museum is full of
used to breed here. dangerous in the shipwrecked figureheads,
Gansbaai is renowned for the world. Since 1552, porcelain, cannons, anchors, old
tragedy of HMS Birkenhead. In more than 130 ships bottles and coins. The beautiful
February 1852, this ship hit a have foundered here, marble-topped washstand in
rock off Danger Point, 9 km (6 an average of one the bedroom was salvaged
miles) away, and sank with 445 wreck per kilometre from the Queen of the
men – all the women and of coast. Thames, which sank in
children were saved. To this day, The best time to visit 1871, while the medicine
the phrase “Birkenhead Drill” Bredasdorp’s Heuningberg chest came from the Clan
describes the custom of Nature Reserve is from mid- MacGregor, which was
favouring women and children September to mid-October, shipwrecked in 1902.
in crisis situations. when the countryside The church hall,
From Gansbaai there are becomes bathed in Figurehead, Shipwreck dating back to 1864,
several boat trips to Dyer Island, colour from hundreds Museum is now called the
where you can watch great of blooms bursting Shipwreck Hall. Its
white sharks feed on the seals into flower. It is home to a rather gloomy interior is a
that breed on nearby Geyser number of South African suitable environment for the
Island. This area is also home to endemic plants and of these, interesting and diverse relics
large numbers of African the Bredasdorp lily (Cyrtanthus displayed in glass cases, all of
penguins, another food source guthriea) is found only on the which were recovered from
for the great whites that Heuningberg Mountain. major shipwrecks in the area.
congregate here. Nicknamed
“Shark Alley”, the channel
between the islands and the
mainland is a popular
destination for shark-diving.
5 Bredasdorp
Road map B5. * 15,500.
Bredasdorp lies in a region of
undulating barley fields and
sheep pasture. The town
is a centre for the wool
industry, but serves mainly
as an access route to Cape
Agulhas (via the R319) and
Arniston (via the R316).
The town’s most interesting A 19th-century kitchen in the Shipwreck Museum at Bredasdorp
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4
THE SOUTHERN CAPE 229
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230 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Scenic view of the Swartberg Pass from the village of Prince Albert
E Drostdy
rhinos, kudu, zebra, wildebeest where guided walking tours of
18 Swellengrebel Street. Tel 028 514 and buffalo, and there is a Prince Albert can be booked.
1138. Open 9am–4:45pm Mon–Fri, reptile centre. A popular The Prince Albert Gallery,
10am–3pm Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan, excursion from Cape Town, it opposite the museum, was
Easter, 25 Dec. & 0 - is one of the nearest places to set up by local artists who
∑ drostdymuseum.com
the city for wildlife viewing. wanted to find a venue to
show their work. There are
Environs O Bontebok National Park regular exhibitions of paintings,
Bontebok National Park is 6 km Tel 028 514 2735. Open 7am–7pm sculpture and photographs. The
(4 miles) outside Swellendam. daily (to 6pm May–Sep). = Gallery Café is open for dinner.
∑ sanparks.org
This scenic wilderness was set On Saturday mornings, in the
up to protect the endangered O Garden Route Game Lodge square opposite the museum,
species of antelope after which Off the N2, 7 km (4 miles) east of there is a food and crafts
it was named. The bontebok Albertinia. Tel 028 735 1200. market, and each April, Prince
has since recovered enough to Open daily. & 8 0 Albert holds a popular olive,
share the habitat with several ∑ grgamelodge.co.za food and wine festival (see p42),
other introduced animals. Most with live entertainment and
of the park is accessible by car, stalls selling local produce.
and there are excellent self- 0 Prince Albert
guided walking trails. Environs
Road map C5. * 7,100. n Fransie
The more challenging 74-km The spectacular Swartberg
Pienaar Museum, Church Street,
(46-mile) Swellendam Trail 023 541 1366. Open daily. _ Olive Pass, key to the Karoo Desert,
takes in the Marloth Nature Festival (Apr). ∑ princealbert.org.za starts just 2 km (1 mile) from
Reserve, along the southern Prince Albert. The slopes of the
slopes of the Langenberg This pretty village, which is pass provide the irrigation that
Mountains. Continuing along part of the Four Passes Tour makes the village an oasis in
the N2, the Garden Route (see pp234–5), has several this arid area. The pass was
Game Lodge is 129 km (80 attractions. The Fransie Pienaar built by the road engineer
miles) beyond Swellendam. Museum, which hosts one of Thomas Bain after heavy
It has been stocked with a the world’s largest fossil floods in 1875 swept away
number of species including collections, also houses the the previous road, depriving
giraffes, lions, elephants, white tourist information centre, local farmers of their link
with the nearest seaports.
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232 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
q Oudtshoorn
Road map C5. N12 from George.
* 95,900. n 80 Voortrekker St,
044 279 2532. Open Mon–Sat.
∑ oudtshoorn.com
E Le Roux Townhouse
146 High St. Tel 044 272 3676.
Open 9am–1pm and 2–5pm Mon–
Fri, Sat & Sun by app. Closed public
hols. &
Built in 1909, this is an out-
standing example of the feather
palaces of the time. As an
annexe of the C P Nel Museum,
it has exhibits of authentic
European furniture from the
period 1900–20 and a collection
of porcelain, glassware and
pieces made from Cape silver. Ostriches at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm in Oudtshoorn
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234 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
1 Seweweekspoort
The pass is a 15-km (9-mile) gravel route
through sheer walls of rough-hewn rock,
criss-crossing a rivercourse that meanders
through the Klein Swartberg mountains.
Towering over the northern extent is the
2,325-m (7,628-ft) Seweweekspoort (“seven
weeks pass”) Peak. Local legend claims that
this name refers to the time it used to take
brandy smugglers to cross this route.
Worcester
Laingsburg
Dwyka
ka
m
Ga
Gamkaskloof
(Die Hel)
e rg
Middelplaas omsb
Wabo
Gro
ot Pass
J
Amalienstein
Ladismith
Riversdale Li tt le K a
ro o
2 Calitzdorp
The streets of this Karoo village are
lined with Victorian houses. Nearby is
a natural hot-spring spa, and some of Key
the best port wines in the country are Tour route
produced at Boplaas, Die Krans Estate
Other roads
and the Calitzdorp Wine Cellar.
Park boundary
0 kilometres 10
0 miles 10
3 Oudtshoorn
The grand Victorian and Edwardian
sandstone mansions in Oudtshoorn (see p232)
were built on the riches reaped during
the ostrich-feather boom of the 1880s.
Lucerne (or alfafa), the favourite
food of ostriches, flourished in the
Karoo climate, enabling farmers to raise
these flightless birds commercially.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4
THE SOUTHERN CAPE 235
r Cango Caves
Tips for Drivers Road map C5. R328 from
Tour length: From Laingsburg on Oudtshoorn. Tel 044 272 7410.
the N1: 337 km (209 miles); from Open 9am–5pm daily. Closed 25 Dec.
& 8 every hour. 0 =
Oudtshoorn: 175 km (109 miles).
∑ cango-caves.co.za
Getting there: On the R323 from
Laingsburg turn left after 19 km
Deep in the foothills of the
(12 miles). After 50 km (31 miles)
turn right for Seweweekspoort.
Swartberg Mountains lies an
Take the R62 at Amalienstein, underground network of
5 Swartberg Pass then head north on the R328. chambers and passages, where
This spectacular 24-km (15- Before Prince Albert turn onto the dissolved minerals have
mile) gravel route took Bain’s R407 via Meiringspoort. To return crystallized to form stalactite
convict labour gang seven to Oudtshoorn take the N12. and stalagmite dripstone
years to complete (see p231). When to go: In spring–autumn. formations that resemble
Passes may close during Jun–Aug fluted columns and delicate,
due to snowfalls. ruffled drapes.
The complex was first
explored by Jacobus van Zyl
6 Prince Albert after his herdsman stumbled
Traditional architecture (see pp34–35)
upon the cave opening in 1780,
and a perennial spring that waters fruit
but rock paintings and stone
and olive trees make this isolated
village an old-fashioned delight. implements discovered near
the entrance indicate that the
N1 site was occupied as early as
80,000 years ago.
Prince Albert Beaufort
Only Cango 1 is open to the
West
public. Access to Cango 2 and 3,
discovered in 1972 and 1975
J
respectively, is prohibited in
Great order to preserve the crystals.
Swartberg Klaarstroom
Some of the dramatic dripstone
formations in Cango 1, which is
Cango Caves
J 762 m (2,500 ft) in length, are
the 9-m (30-ft) high Cleopatra’s
Needle, which is believed to be
some 150,000 years old, a dainty
J
The Garden Route, backed by the paper mills, as well as the furniture-
Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma and Langkloof making and building industries.
mountain ranges, extends all the way Tourists are drawn to the Garden
from Mossel Bay in the west to the Route for its scenic drives, forested
Storms River Mouth in the east. walks and trails and pristine coastline,
In 1780, French naturalist Francois as well as the tranquil inland lakes and
Le Vaillant wrote of the area: “Nature lagoons. The birdlife is spectacular.
has made an enchanted abode of this Knysna alone has recorded more than
beautiful place.” In the 1800s, however, 230 different species, among them the
furniture makers began to value the African spoonbill, osprey and avocet. Of
indigenous hardwoods, and large tracts special interest among forest birds are
of Outeniqua yellowwood (Podocarpus the Knysna lourie and Narina’s trogon.
falcatus), ironwood (Olea capensis), Plettenberg Bay is an upmarket
and the smaller stinkwood (Ocotea coastal retreat. Balmy weather attracts
bullata) were felled by the European visitors even in the winter months.
settlers. Of the original forest, only Beyond the Garden Route, Port
650 sq km (251 sq miles) has survived, Elizabeth, the centre of South Africa’s
of which 430 sq km (166 sq miles) is on car-manufacturing industry, has lovely
state land. Nowadays, plantations of golden beaches and is famous for its
exotic pines and bluegum supply the Bayworld Complex.
Klipplaat
Willowmore Steytlerville Gr
Buyspoort Pass oo
t
Ghwarriepoort
Olifan
ts
Pass
Bavia EASTERN
ans
klo
Studtis ofb
WESTERN CAPE Zaaimansdal erg
berg Ko u Colekeplaas
Oudtshoorn assie
K a m moaunn t a i n s Uniondale gab
Koutjie
M Potjiesberg
Koug
erg Smitskraal
Pass Misgund a
Montagu Daskop Avontuur Haarlem
Noll Joubertina Andrieskraal
Pass
1715 m
Prince Alfred's Pass
Oute Herold
niquaberg NATURE'S
Barrington
VALLEY TSITSIKAMMA Kareedouw
GEORGE
Storms Woodlands
WILDERNESS SEDGEFIELD KNYSNA River
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
Key
Motorway
Major road
Minor road
Untarred road
Scenic route
Main railway
Minor railway
Provincial border
Summit Visitors on a nature walk at the picturesque
Pass Knsyna Lagoon
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5
THE GARDEN ROUTE TO GRAHAMSTOWN 239
Getting Around
The N2 traverses the entire length
of the Garden Route, from Mossel
Bay to Port Elizabeth and beyond,
on its way up the east coast.
Although coach tours to the area
are available, travel by car is ideal as
it allows the visitor to explore the
pretty coastal towns along the way
at leisure. The seven- and five-day
hiking trails of Tsitsikamma, as well
as shorter forest walks, may also
entice visitors to linger. There are
domestic airports at Port Elizabeth
and George.
Sights at a Glance
1 Bartolomeu Dias Museum
Complex (Mossel Bay) pp240–41
2 George
3 Wilderness
4 Sedgefield
5 Knysna
6 Plettenberg Bay
7 Nature’s Valley
8 Tsitsikamma pp248–9
9 St Francis Bay
0 Jeffreys Bay
q Port Elizabeth pp250–53
w Addo Elephant National Park
e Shamwari Game Reserve
r Alexandria
t Port Alfred
Knysna Lagoon as seen from the Heads y Grahamstown pp256–7
1Bartolomeu Dias
Museum Complex
(Mossel Bay)
The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex,
established in 1988, celebrates the 500th
anniversary of Dias’s historic landfall. A full-
sized replica of his ship was built in Portugal in
1987 and set sail for Mossel Bay, arriving on . The Caravel
3 February 1988. Here, the 130-ton vessel The intrepid Spanish
and Portuguese seafarers
was lifted from the water and lowered of the 15th and 16th
into the specially altered museum centuries sailed into the
with its high, angled roof, clerestory unknown in small two-
windows and sunken floor for the keel. or three-masted
ships like this.
Letter Box
Mail posted in this unusual post
box in the museum complex is
marked with a special postmark.
Post Office
Tree
The 16th-century
seafarers left
messages for each
other in a shoe
suspended from a
milkwood tree, like
this one next to the
museum building.
KEY
The
CH ST
Granary
SANTOS RD E ST
GRAV
Post Office TH
FOO
Tree TPA
TPA
TH FOO
Malay Fountain Ethno-Botanical
Graves Munrohoek Garden
Cottages
Shell Museum 0 metres 100
TH
TPA
FOO
0 yards 100
courses with a full-time otters are also present, though Timberlake Farm Village
instructor are available at they are seldom seen. Of the N2 between Wilderness and
Cloudbase Paragliding. several hiking trails, the circular Sedgefield. Tel 044 882 1211.
Off the N2, between Bush Pig Trail starts from the Open 8am–5pm daily. 7 - 0
= ∑ timberlakeorganic.co.za
Wilderness and Sedgefield, is reserve office and takes about
Timberlake Farm Village, a 2–3 hours. It runs along a O Goukamma Nature
collection of charming fynbos-covered ridge of dunes Reserve
wooden cabins with a café, a with fine views of the ocean, 8 km (5 miles) from the N2 on the
country deli and a wine shop. and returns via a milkwood Buffalo Bay road. Tel 044 383 0042.
Activities here include a quad- forest. Kayak and pedalo hire Open 8am–6pm daily. & Ó s
S ∑ capenature.co.za
bike course, a mountain bike and guided horse riding along
trail, a delightful fairy-themed the beach are also on offer.
garden, an adventure
playground for children and a O Garden Route National Park 4 Sedgefield
zipline cable ride between (Wilderness)
n 044 877 1197. Open 7am–8pm Road map C5. N2 21 km
aerial platforms in the trees. (13 miles) E of Wilderness.
The Goukamma Nature daily. & Ó s
∑ sanparks.org * 8,500. @ Shell Garage,
Reserve borders on the Main Street. n 30 Main Street,
Garden Route National Park Cloudbase Paragliding 044 343 2007. Open Mon–Sat.
and supports grysbok and blue Tel 044 877 1414. ∑ cloudbase- ∑ visitknysna.co.za
duiker. Resident Cape clawless paragliding.co.za
Between Wilderness and Knysna,
the small coastal town of
Sedgefield can be a useful base
for visitors planning a visit to
the Goukamma Nature Reserve
(see left). Sedgefield also boasts
a variety of its own attractions,
and this has resulted in some
resort-type developments
being built along the previously
unspoiled beach front.
Sedgefield Beach offers
safe swimming (perfect for
families), or you may fish
for bass at Cola Beach, Myoli
Beach, Swartvlei Beach or
Gerike’s Point. In addition to
the several lakes and beaches,
there are pretty forest and
Fairy Knowe, a popular hotel near Wilderness lakeside walking trails.
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244 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
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246 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Steps leading down to one of the idyllic bays in Robberg Nature Reserve
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248 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
8 Tsitsikamma
Tsitsikamma is a San word meaning “place of abundant
waters”. It is part of the Garden Route National Park
and extends for 68 km (42 miles) from Nature’s Valley to
Oubosstrand, and stretches seawards for some 5.5 km
(3 miles), offering licensed snorkellers and divers a unique
“underwater trail”. Within the park’s boundaries lie two of
South Africa’s most popular hikes, the Tsitsikamma and
Otter trails. Primeval forest, rugged mountain scenery and
panoramic views contribute to their popularity with hikers.
. Yellowwood trees
The yellowwood is protected as
South Africa’s national tree; its hard
Bloukrans River gorge timber is highly valued.
is the site of an
overnight trail hut.
il
Tsit sika mm a Tra
J
Keurbos
Fynbos
The typical vegetation of this area is Bloukrans
coastal fynbos, which consists of low-
growing species of ericas and proteas.
C o ld
iver
S tr e a
Bloukrans R
Plettenberg
m
Bay
Gro ot Riv er
Va rk Riv er
Bloukrans Coldstream
Forest
station
Covie
Tsitsikamma
Nature’s
J
Common dolphins
Hikers on the Otter Trail are
sure to see dolphins frolicking
in the waves.
. Otter Trail
This five-day coastal hike was the
country’s first official trail and stretches
from the mouth of the Storms River to
the superb beach at Nature’s Valley.
Hikers may spot whales, dolphins, seals
and Cape clawless otters along the way.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5
THE GARDEN ROUTE TO GRAHAMSTOWN 249
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map C5. 68 km (42 miles)
E of Plettenberg Bay on N2.
n Garden Route National Park:
042 281 1607; 012 428 9111
(reservations and permits for
hiking trails). Open 6:30am–7pm.
Otter Trail: 41 km (25 miles).
Tsitsikamma Trail: 60 km (37
miles). & } S Ó 0 =
∑ sanparks.org
Tsitsi
kamma Trail
J
Heuningbos Sleepkloof
Port
Big Tree J Elizabeth
Storms River
Lo tte rin g
Bridge
Storms River
Lottering
Forest Station
Kleinbos
ver
Elandsbos River
Kleinbos Ri
Stor ms Rive r
J
O tt e
r T ra Lourie, Blue Duiker Mouth Trail
Scott il
Ngubu & Waterfall Walks
J Storms River
Mouth
0 kilometres 3
3
Tips for Walkers
0 miles
Visitors should be fit, and sturdy walking shoes
are essential. For the longer hikes, all provisions
as well as cooking gear and sleeping bags
Key must be carried, as the overnight huts are
Motorway equipped only with mattresses. The Bloukrans
River along the Otter Trail can be forded only
Major road
En route to Storms by swimming or wading, so waterproof
Tarred road
River Mouth backpacks are advisable.
Trail
CHA
PEL
STR
EET
ET
RE
ST
IN
NK
DO
monument in 1967. N
T
STVE
TE
A
RR
H
A
ET
CE
0 metres 100
RE
ST
0 yards 100
N
SO
Art Gallery,
AR
Pearson
PE
Conservatory
and War Memorial
Donkin Reserve
Overlooking the city and harbour, Donkin Reserve features
the Opera House, a lighthouse, a flagpole and the touching Key
memorial to Sir Rufane Donkin’s wife Elizabeth, after whom Suggested route
the city was named.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5
PORT ELIZABETH 251
Transport
£ Strand St, (041) 404-1200.
N2 Highway @ Greenacres Shopping Centre,
GO city centre and Port Elizabeth
VA
N M To The railway station.
ET
B EK ~ Port Elizabeth, 4 km
I A Campanile
RE
U
E
T
UR
CO
BA
AK
EN
S S
T RE
ET
Airport
L
D
HIL
A
O
R
TLE
ES
IT
CAS
H
W
. City Hall
The City Hall was built
The Opera between 1858–62, and the
House held its clock tower was added in
D first performance 1883. A replica of the 1488
D
A
LY
A
in 1892.
R
T
EC
L
P
IL
S
O
H
R
P
LE
T
D
A city’s oldest surviving
O
R Settler cottages. It is
Y now a museum.
R
A
IT
IL
RE D
ET
ST BIR
M
B
EL
M
R
O
LE
N
T
Y
T
ER
U
C
R . Fort Frederick
A
C
E The first stone structure in the
district, this fort (see
pp52–3) was built in 1799
by British soldiers who
The Drill Hall (1880) was
feared an attack by French
the headquarters of Prince
forces. No shot was ever
Alfred’s Guard, a volunteer
fired in anger from it.
regiment founded in 1856.
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252 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
Environs
The championship Humewood
Golf Club, some 3 km (2 miles)
south along the coast from
Humewood, is considered one
of the best in South Africa. At
the clubhouse, golfers can enjoy
a well-earned drink and
splendid views across the bay.
The all-important “19th hole” at Humewood Golf Club About 3 km (2 miles) south
of Humewood lies the
L Humewood Beach group. Items on display here cape that marks the entrance
2 km (1 mile) S of the city centre. include medicinal herbs, to Algoa Bay. Cape Recife and
The recreation hub of musical instruments, examples its surrounding nature reserve
Port Elizabeth, Humewood of rock art and clothing. is an ideal destination for
Beach is bordered by Marine On view at the snake park are bird-spotting and exploring
Drive, which provides quick snakes from around the world, the unspoiled rocky shore.
access to all the attractions that including South African species A 9-km (6-mile) hiking
line the shore. An attractive such as the puffadder and the trail explores the reserve, and
covered promenade provides green mamba, as well as lizards, traverses several different
welcome shelter from the tortoises and crocodiles. coastal habitats that include
wind, and hosts a flea market at redbuds and dune vegetation.
weekends. There is also an The route passes the Cape
inviting freshwater and tidal Recife lighthouse, a spot that
pool complex nearby. is a favourite with divers. Near
Lifeguards are stationed at the lighthouse is the SA Marine
all the main beaches. Sailing Rehabilitation & Education
and scuba diving are Centre (SAMREC), which
particularly popular here, and rescues and rehabilitates
the windy expanse of Algoa marine birds – in particular,
Bay is often punctuated by the African penguins. Visitors can
white sails of yachts. tour the premises and watch
Many hotels and holiday the penguins being fed
apartments line Marine Drive, The green mamba, a venomous (2:30pm daily). The Flying
and there are also numerous resident of Bayworld Penguin Café is a good place
little restaurants and eateries. to take a break.
Bayworld is an unusual The penguin pool at the
combination of a natural and aquarium has underground I Humewood Golf Club
cultural history museum observation windows allowing Marine Drive. Tel 041 583 2137.
with an aquarium and a snake visitors to view the sea birds ∑ humewoodgolf.co.za
park. At a different location, in swimming underwater, where
O Cape Recife
the city centre, the Bayworld their grace and speed are in
Tel 041 583 4004. Open sunrise–
complex also includes No 7 marked contrast with their
sunset daily. ∑ caperecife.co.za
Castle Hill, a Victorian house comical gait on shore.
museum depicting the early O SA Marine Rehabilitation &
Settler way of life. Bayworld Education Centre (SAMREC)
The entrance to the main Beach Rd. Tel 041 584 0650. Open Tel 041 583 1830. Open 9am–4pm
museum is lined with several 9am–4:30pm daily. Closed 25 Dec. daily. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec. & -
open enclosures containing & 7 0 = ∑ bayworld.co.za ∑ samrec.org.za
waterbirds. The fascinating
exhibits inside include a marine
gallery containing salvaged
items and fully rigged models
of early sailing ships, and the
skeleton of the last southern
right whale to be harpooned
in Algoa Bay.
An exhibition entitled
“The First People of the Bay”
features original artifacts
of the Khoi people. The
Khoi arrived in Algoa Bay more
than two millennia ago – long
before any other population The jetty at Humewood Beach
www.ebook3000.com
254 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
w Addo Elephant
National Park
Road map D5. 72 km (45 miles) NE of
Port Elizabeth. Tel 042 233 8600.
Reservations: 012 428 9111.
Open 7am–7pm daily. & 8 0 =
∑ sanparks.org
Many luxury yachts, catamarans and fishing vessels are moored at Port Alfred’s marina
www.ebook3000.com
256 THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN CAPE
y Grahamstown
After the Fourth Frontier War of 1812, Colonel John Graham
established a military post on an abandoned farm near the
southeast coast. In an attempt to stabilize the region, the Cape
government enticed 4,500 British families to the farmlands.
Many of these “1820 Settlers” preferred an urban life, and
Grahamstown became a thriving trading centre, home to
the largest concentration of artisans outside Cape Town.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5
THE GARDEN ROUTE TO GRAHAMSTOWN 257
4 Rhodes University
CA RLI
ST
SPRI
NG
ST
5 Old Provost
SLE
T
HI
ST
R EE COB
LL
ST DEN
6 Fort Selwyn
ST
ET STR
STRE
ST
AN HT
EET
RIC KNIG
7 1820 Settlers AF
South African City Hall T
Monument Institute for
Cathedral
Observatory ST
R EE
ST
of St Michael
Aquatic Biodiversity E T and St George Museum L I N K RT
8 Makana Botanical
BA
RE FO
ST AU
TH
BE
YO
UR
Gardens International NE
W
RK
ET
ST
Library of RE
ST
MARKET
9 Cathedral of Drostdy ST
ST
T AR
HI
Museum EE M ET
0 City Hall
TH
University R RE
LL
Complex ST ST
HO
RT
ST
CE
LO
q Observatory Museum
O N
UE UF RE
RE
SO
EN A W
BE
EW
AV LA
ET
Old
M
ET
w National English Provost RE
ER
AS
ST
ST
N
LUC
SE
I
Literary Museum Makana DO
NK ET
T
RE
ST
Botanical
ST
ET
N
SO
GRE S T R E
Gardens IN
RE
B
RO
ET
Y
Fort
Selwyn
1820 Settlers
Monument
0 metres 250
0 yards 250
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260 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
Bethlehem
Maseru
Cala
Mthatha
Queenstown
King William’s
Town
East London
The Hole in the Wall is situated just off the coast at the
mouth of the Mpako River. It is one of the best-known
sites on the romantic Wild Coast (see p271).
Marine life teeming on the coral reef at Sodwana Bay, along the Maputaland coast
INTRODUCING THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR 261
Ermelo
Piet Retief
Volksrust
Phon
golo
Newcastle Vryheid
Harrismith
DURBAN AND
ZULULAND
(See pp282–301) St Lucia
Ladysmith
Empangeni
Tu
Estcourt
g
ela
KwaDukuza
Pietermaritzburg
Durban
Church Street Mall in
Amanzimtoti Pietermaritzburg is
surrounded by a
number of historic
Kokstad buildings such as the
beautiful City Hall,
which was built in
Port 1893 (see p281).
Shepstone
Lusikisiki
Indian
Ocean
Durban’s Beachfront, a
6-km (4-mile) long stretch
of hotels, restaurants and
entertainment venues
along the Indian Ocean
shoreline, is also known
as the Golden Mile
(see p286).
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262 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
Zulu Culture
The Zulu people’s reputation for being a fierce warrior
nation, fuelled by written accounts of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu Johannesburg
Zulu Crafts
The Zulu people are
renowned as weavers
and for their colourful
beadwork. Baskets and
mats made from ilala
Maize, the staple grain, is ground and
palm fronds and imizi boiled to form a stiff, lumpy porridge. Basket weaver
grass are very decorative
and especially popular.
Most baskets display the
traditional triangle or
diamond shape, a
symbol representing
the male and female
elements. Shiny glass
beads introduced by
the early 19th-century Zulu beadwork
traders created a new and spoon
custom. Today, artistic
beadwork forms an important part of Zulu
culture. Every pattern and colour has symbolic
significance, as shown in the incwadi, or love
letters, that are made by young women and Utshwala (beer) is prepared by the women, using
presented to eligible men. sorghum. The fermented liquid is then strained
through long grass sieves to separate the husks.
INTRODUCING THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR 263
Traditional Dancing
In Zulu society, social gatherings almost always
involve dancing. Most Zulu dances require a high
level of fitness – and a lack of inhibition. While
ceremonial dances can involve large crowds of
gyrating, clapping and stamping performers,
small groups of performers need only the
encouragement of an accompanying drum and
singing, whistling or wailing onlookers. Lore and
clan traditions may be related through the dance;
alternatively, the movements may serve as a
Zulu dances require stamina and agility means of social commentary.
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264 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
Learning to Surf
With its sheltered beaches
along the Golden Mile, protected
from the big ocean swells,
Durban is an excellent place to
learn to surf. Surf schools offer
tuition either in groups or one-to-
one with a professional surfer, and
the sandy beaches with small
waves and tropical warm
water are beginner-friendly.
Surf-wear fashion
is a lucrative spin-off
industry. Imaginative
creations that reflect
surfing’s way of life are
produced by brands
such as Quiksilver and
Billabong, and they
retail at designer-
wear prices.
Surfing heroes,
such as American
Kelly Slater, have a
cult following. The
world’s biggest surf
competitions, in
Hawaii, California
and Florida, USA,
and Australia and
South Africa, attract
massive crowds.
Surfing Lingo
Tube – ride through the
concave curve formed by the
body of the wave.
Lip – the tip of the wave (its
most powerful part).
Barrel – ride through
the curve of a wave that
ends in the wave breaking
on the surfer.
Bomb – enormous wave.
Filthy – excellent surf.
Grommet – a beginner.
Shundies – thank you.
The Ballito Pro Presented by Billabong is South Africa’s premier Tassie – a young woman.
professional surfing event. It takes place in Ballito, 45 km (28 miles) Cactus – any person who
north of Durban over six days every June–July, and features top surfers do not like.
surfers such as Jack Freestone (pictured above).
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THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR 267
Some 1,000 years ago the lush, become the frontier line between the
well-watered valleys of the Drakensberg British and Xhosa, while to the north,
were home to the hunter-gatherer the territory between the Mzimkhulu
San who stalked antelope with their bows and Tugela rivers was declared the Colony
and arrows. The colonizing vanguards of Natal. Over the centuries, countless
of Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaner and British territorial wars raged in this fertile
soon drove them from the region, and, region now known as the Midlands,
apart from the delicate paintings that and many of the old battle sites can
survive under overhangs and in caves, be visited today.
the diminutive hunters left no evidence of In 1976, under apartheid, the Xhosa
their presence. territory of Transkei was officially declared
At the beginning of the 19th century, “independent”, but was reincorporated
the Xhosa’s heartland was part of the into South Africa in 1994. This is an area of
expanding Cape Colony, while the centre immense natural beauty and splendour.
of the Zulu kingdom stretched north of The enchanted coastline, too remote for
the Tugela River. Facing attacks on several modern development, has remained
fronts, the Basotho tribe sought refuge virtually unspoiled and offers secluded
in the high mountains that would bays and beaches, rocky headlands and
eventually become the kingdom of some of the best fishing to be found
Lesotho. By 1848, the Kei River had anywhere along the coast.
Maseru
Molimo Nthuse
Pass
Ramabanta
a
Wepener
The distant Champagne Castle, Monk’s Cowl and Cathkin Peak Mafeteng tso
Pu
in the Drakensberg Mountains Bloemfontein
ng
a
ab
ale
on
Th
kh
led
Breipaal
Ma
Mohales Hoek
Ca
Key
Smithfield Zastron
Dupleston
Motorway Quthing
Rouxville
Major road Orange
Goedemoed
Sterkspruit
Minor road
Aliwal North
Untarred road New England
Scenic route Vineyard
Burgersdorp Barkly East
Main railway Clanville
Minor railway Swempoort
Coetz Dutywa
ees Tarkastad Bolotwa
ber
Cradock g
Swart-Kei
Elandsdrift Cathcart Nqamakwe
Winterber
g Gro
ot-K
Stutterheim ei
Daggaboersnek
Komga
Bedford Fort Beaufort
Bhisho Chintsa
Mdantsane
Port Elizabeth
The memorial laager (encampment) on the site of the East
Battle of Blood River (1838), near Dundee London
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp388–9 and pp406–7
T H E W I L D COA S T, D R A K E N S B E R G A N D M I D L A N D S 269
0 kilometres 50
Mbabane
0 miles 25
Ermelo
Amsterdam
Scheepmoor
Vaal
Vrede Commondale
ip
Volksrust
Laingsnek Pass el esberg Bivane
Ingogo Bal
Bivane
STATE Utrecht
Newcastle San rock art at Giant’s Castle in
Molen
Underberg
Qacha’s
Donnybrook hotels and resorts are mostly tarred. Large
en
Nek
ak bus companies offer regular services
Dr
between regional centres. There are
domestic airports in East London, Mthatha
Sigoga
Port and Pietermaritzburg, and international
Ke Shepstone
n airports at Durban and Maseru.
ek
a
Fort Donald
Tin
a
Rode
Redoubt
Maclear Flagstaff
Tsitsa Mkambati Nature
Bridge
Palmerton Reserve
Um
Mtata zim Sights at a Glance
Dam vu Port Grosvenor
b
1 Wild Coast
u
Mthatha
Port St. Johns 2 Lesotho pp272–3
CAPE 3 uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
Tshani Park
Coffee Bay 4 Golden Gate Highlands
Dwesa
Nature National Park
ST
Reserve
6 Spioenkop Dam
A
O
Nature Reserve
C
7 Midlands Meander
D
IL
W 8 Pietermaritzburg
Kei Mouth
Tour
5 Battlefields Tour p278
The Xhosa word for Hole in the Wall, esiKhaleni, means “the place of sound”
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272 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
2 Lesotho
Surrounded by South Africa, this mountain kingdom, or Johannesburg
. Teyateyaneng
This town, easily Ficksburg Hlotse
accessible from Maseru,
is the “craft capital” of
Lesotho. The colour ful Peka
woven jerseys, carpets
and wall hangings are a Phu
thia
local speciality. tsa
na
Moletsane
Ladybrand Teyateyaneng
Cave Houses
Mateka
Sefikeng
MASERU Thaba Bosiu
J
Mazenod Molimo
Nthuse
J Pass
Roma
Ma kha len g Likalaneng
on
led
Ca Kolo
Morija
Ramabanta
J
Mafeteng Malealea
Rock Paintings Semonkong
Bird
Park
Thabana
J
Morena
Dinosaur
Cannibal Tracks
Caves Se nq u
Mohale’s J
Hoek
KEY
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map D3, D4, E3, E4.
Border posts: Sani Pass (8am–
4pm); Ficksburg Bridge (24 hrs);
Caledonspoort (6am–10pm);
Maseru Bridge (24 hrs); Telle-
Bridge (8am–10pm). n Cnr
Parliament & Linare roads, Maseru.
Fouriesburg . Katse Dam Tel (+266) 2231 2238. Open 8am–
Thakabanna The first phase of this
5pm Mon–Fri, 8:30am–1pm Sat.
Caledons impressive engineering feat
Joel’s Drift _ King’s Birthday (17 Jul);
Oxbow was completed in 1998. The
Independence Day (4 Oct).
Butha-Buthe J reservoir feeds water into ∑ visitlesotho.travel
Rock Paintings South Africa’s Vaal Dam.
tso
Transport
ma
3,346 m
J Source of
(10,977 ft) 18 km (11 miles) S of Maseru.
Ma
the Orange
Matlameng
Pitseng Letseng-
Bokong Nature la-Terae
Reserve
J
J
qu
Lejone
Sen
Mapholaneng
Katse Dam Mafadi Key
(Lesotho Highlands 3,450 m (11,316 ft)
Water Project)
Seshote Major route
Mokhotlong
Main road (tarred)
J
Giant’s Castle
Katse 3,312 m (10,863 ft) Main road (untarred)
4x
(highest point in
Mohale Southern Arica) Minor road (untarred)
Dam 3,842 m
4x4
J (11,316 ft) International boundary
Thaba
Marakabei Tseka Linakeng District boundary
Ma Sani Pass
sha J
i
Se n q u
n ya n e
0 kilometres 25
Senq
Sehonghong
0 miles 10
u
Sehlabathebe
National
J Park
Maletsunyane Falls
Mokopung k ik e
Tsoe
Qacha’s Nek
. Sani Pass
Mphaki The only access route
to Lesotho from
KwaZulu-Natal, this
Qu
thi
pass ascends to a
ng
height of 2,874 m
(9,429 ft) over
20 km (12 miles).
Kamberg
Road map E3. Estcourt. n 033 267
7251. Open daily. & = Ó } D
∑ kznwildlife.com
Nestling in the foothills of the
uKhahlambaDrakensberg The high-lying Giant’s Castle is covered with snow in winter
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp388–9 and pp406–7
T H E W I L D COA S T, D R A K E N S B E R G A N D M I D L A N D S 275
5 Battlefields Tour
The peaceful, rolling grasslands and tree-covered hills of northwestern KwaZulu-Natal
retain few reminders of the bloody battles that were waged in this corner of South Africa
during the 19th century. In the 1820s, Zulu king Shaka’s campaign to seize control of the
scattered tribes plunged the entire region into turmoil. Over the following 80 years many
wars were fought, pitting Zulu against Ndwandwe, Afrikaner against Zulu and British
against Afrikaner and Zulu. A detailed guide to the battlefields lists more than 50 sites of
interest and is available from the local publicity associations and the Talana Museum,
where expert guides can also be hired.
Ermelo
5 Rorke’s Drift
This museum has displays
Volksrust depicting the battle during
Majuba
Skuinshoogte which some 100 British soldiers
Laingsnek
repelled 4,000 Zulus
for 12 hours, earning
Fort Amiel them a total of
Museum Utrecht
11 Victoria crosses.
Newcastle
1 Ladysmith
On 2 November 1899, Boer
general Piet Joubert laid siege
to Ladysmith and its 12,000
Fort Mistake
British troops for 118 days. Dundee
Glencoe
Fort Pine
Key
Motorway Harrismith
Tu
Tour route
gel
Su
Other roads
a
nd
Ladysmith
ays
0 km 25 Colenso
0 miles 10
Bloukrans Weenen
Estcourt
Fort Dunfort
Museum
Tips for Drivers
Length: 380 km (236 miles).
Stopping-off points: The towns
of Ladysmith and Dundee have Durban
restaurants and accommodation. 4 Blood River
Audio tapes can be bought from For years seen as a symbol of
the Talana Museum in Dundee the Afrikaners’ victory over
and at Fugitives Drift, which 6 Isandlwana the Zulus, this battle gave
also offers guided tours and Zulu impis, angered by an inva rise to a public holiday –
accommodation. sion of their territory, attacked a 16 December – now called
British force on 22 January 1879. Day of Reconciliation.
Midmar Dam, one of the tranquil places to stop at on the Midlands Meander
8 Street-by-Street:
Pietermaritzburg
From its humble beginnings as an irrigation settlement established
by Afrikaner farmers in 1836, Pietermaritzburg (in the municipality
of Msunduzi) has developed into the commercial, industrial and
administrative centre of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. An intriguing
blend of Victorian, Indian, African and modern architecture and
culture combine to produce a distinctly South African city. Many
historic buildings and monuments, as well as galleries and museums,
are located around the city centre and in the western suburbs, which
nestle at the foot of a range of densely wooded hills. Visitors can Gandhi Statue
In Pietermaritzburg,
ramble through the surrounding forests and botanic gardens, and in 1893, Gandhi had
visit several nature reserves and recreation resorts located to leave a first-class
within the city or a few minutes’ drive away. train carriage
because he
wasn’t white.
Church Street Mall is
shaded by stinkwood
trees and lined with
well-preserved
historic buildings.
Presbyterian
Church
H
RC
U
CH
. Tatham Art Gallery
Housed in the old Supreme Court, displays
at this gallery include works by South African
artists, as well as European masters such as
Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.
Key
Suggested route
A
NG
Parliament LA
Building
The seat of
the colonial
government prior
to 1910, it now
houses KwaZulu-
Natal’s provincial
legislature.
Colonial Houses
The Renaissance Revival
J H Isaacs building and
the Edwardian First
National Bank are two
examples of colonial
architecture in
Langalibalele Street.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp388–9 and pp406–7
T H E W I L D COA S T, D R A K E N S B E R G A N D M I D L A N D S 281
ET
RE
ST
VU
LO
ND
BU
JA
. KwaZulu-Natal
Museum
Displays include African
mammals, birds and
dinosaurs, San rock art
and a gallery focusing on
Portuguese shipwrecks. The Howick Falls
www.ebook3000.com
THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR 283
DURBAN AND
ZULULAND
Caressed by the warm currents of the Indian Ocean, this
picturesque region is one of the country’s leading tourist
destinations. Abundant rainfall and year-round sunshine
sustain a prosperous sugar industry and a profusion of
coastal holiday resorts. North of the Tugela River, an untamed
tapestry of wildlife, wilderness, beaches and wetland evokes
the essence of tropical African coastline.
Near the end of the 15th century, a sailing has developed into Durban, today the
ship captained by the Portuguese mariner largest port in Africa and third-largest
Vasco Da Gama passed the east coast of city in the country. Where the coastal
Africa on Christmas Day. The intrepid grasslands once tumbled down to the
seafarer sighted a large bay, flanked by sea, a wide band of sugar cane plantations
forested dunes, and named it “Rio de Natal”, now separates luxury hotels overlooking
the Christmas River. Subsequently, on sandy beaches and the warm currents
sailors’ maps, the name “Natal” was given of the Indian Ocean from the rolling
to the uncharted land that lay beyond hills of the interior. Many major rivers
the wide beaches and forested dunes meander through the undulating hills,
along the coast. and the coastline is enhanced by tropical
In the 1820s, rumours of the Zulu forests and tranquil estuaries and
chief and military genius Shaka (see p53) lagoons rich in birdlife.
began to reach the Cape Colony. Shaka In the northern corner of the region,
forged the scattered clans of the Natal some of the country’s finest game
region into a near-irrepressible force, and reserves, with melodious Zulu names such
60 years would pass before the British as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, uMkhuze, Ndumo
Empire succeeded in subduing the mighty and Tembe, preserve a timeless landscape
Zulu army. The passage of time has that has remained unchanged since the
brought many changes. “Rio de Natal” reign of Shaka.
Nondweni
Babanango
Nkandla
Dlolwana
Tuge
la
KWAZULU-
NATAL
Greytown
Durban’s attractive beachfront development, with uShaka
Marine World in the foreground Mapumulo
Sevenoaks Umvoti
Dalton
Mpolweni
Estcourt Ndwedwe Ballito
Pietermaritzburg Umhlanga
Kranskloof Rocks
Nature Reserve
0 kilometres 50 Underberg Camperdown
Pinetown
0 miles 25 Mpumalanga
Donnybrook
DURBAN
Creighton Rosebank Umlazi
Kingscote Umk
Um oma Amanzimtoti
as
Riverside Kingsburgh
zi m
Ixopo
ku
Sneezewood
u
Major road
AS
Sezela
St. Faiths
Minor road
CO
Kokstad Harding
Stafford's Hibberdene
Untarred road Post
Brooks Nek
Scenic route Umzumbe
Oribi Gorge
East London Nature Reserve
Main railway Port Shepstone
Izotsha
Minor railway Uvongo
TH
Margate
International border
U
Umtamvuna Southbroom
Provincial border
SO
Nature Reserve
Port Edward
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p389 and pp407–8
DURBAN AND ZULULAND 285
MOZAMBIQUE
Ndumo
Game
Reserve TEMBE ELEPHANT Kosi Bay
PARK Nature Reserve
Ingwavuma Emangusi
SWAZILAND
la
Ermelo
Phongo
Golela Lake
Pongola Sibaya
ITHALA GAME Jozini Mbazwana
RESERVE
Ubombo Sodwana Bay
Louwsburg Magudu
Mkuze uMkhuze
Game Reserve
Steilrand
PHINDA PRIVATE
Nongoma GAME RESERVE
ISIMANGALISO
Blac Hluhluwe WETLAND
k Um
fol Hluhluwe PARK
o
Hlabisa Dam
zi
ZI
LO Cape Vidal
Ulundi M FO E
I V Lake
E- S E R St Lucia
W
H LU E R E Somkele
U M
Mtonjaneni
H L G A Mtubatuba St Lucia
Richards Bay
SHAKALAND
Eshowe Umlalazi Getting Around
Nature Reserve
KwaGingindlovu Mtunzini
The N2 highway that leads from the Eastern Cape
Province and the Wild Coast runs parallel to the
INDIAN coast from Port Shepstone onwards. It provides
Mandini T
OCEAN quick and safe access to the region’s attractions.
S
Tugela
A
Sights at a Glance
1 Durban
2 South Coast
3 North Coast
4 Gooderson Dumazulu Lodge
and Traditional Village
5 Shakaland
6 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Game Reserve
7 Ithala Game Reserve
8 iSimangaliso Wetland Park
9 Phinda Private Game Reserve
0 Tembe Elephant Park Sugar cane is a major crop in subtropical Zululand
For keys to symbols see back flap
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286 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map F3. * 3,450,000.
n Ithala Trade Centre,
29 Canal Quay Rd, 031 366
7500. Open 8am–4:30pm
Mon–Thu, 8am–4pm Fri.
_ Comrades Marathon (Jun);
Vodacom July Handicap (Jul).
∑ zulu.org.za
The mock-Tudor façade of The Playhouse Company
Transport
Central Durban collecting black South African k 35 km (22 miles) NE of city
Beautifully restored buildings art in the 1970s, the first in the centre. £ @ Durban Station,
and interesting museums can country to do so. Masabalala Yengwa Road (M12).
be found in the city centre, all What was once Durban’s
within walking distance. The Court now houses the Old
cafés and restaurants that line Court House Museum. It F The Playhouse Company
the streets offer respite from contains relics of early colonial 231 Anton Lembede St. Tel 031 369
the heat and humidity. life in what was then Natal. 9555. ∑ playhousecompany.com
Completed in 1910, Durban’s The Playhouse Company
City Hall was modelled after offers top-class entertainment,
that of Belfast, in Northern from opera to experimental
Ireland. The central dome is theatre.
48 m (156 ft) high while statues
symbolizing art, literature, music E Natural Science Museum
and commerce flank the four City Hall, Anton Lembede St. Tel 031
smaller domes. 311 2256. Open 8:30am–4pm daily
The Natural Science Museum (from 11am Sun). Closed Good Fri,
is situated on the ground floor 25 Dec. - =
of the City Hall. Exhibits vary E Durban Art Gallery
from a display of South African City Hall, Anton Lembede St. Tel 031
wildlife to a mammal gallery, a 311 2265. Open 8:30am–4pm daily
bird hall, a dinosaur exhibit and (from 11am Sun). Closed Good Fri,
an Egyptian mummy. 25 Dec.
Fascinating, if disturbing, are the E Old Court House Museum
oversized insects featured in the 77 Samora Machel St. Tel 031 311
KwaNunu section. Upstairs, the 2229. Open 8:30am–4pm Mon–Sat.
Durban Art Gallery began Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. In the Natural Science Museum
Umgeni River
Durban City Centre Suncoast Casino
& Entertainment
Bird Park,
Moses Mabhiba
World Stadium
1 Victoria Street Market 7 Victoria Embankment
SN E LL
S TA LW A R T S I M E L A N E
No r t h
S Y LV E S T
DE
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5 The Playhouse
O R
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BOS
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SIN
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BO
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Durban Station,
BO
Kwa Muhle
Museum Berea
Museum
Inkosi Albert Luthuli
PA R
AD
BE
T
OSI S ER RO International
PA R
ES NK FISCH
HANN Convention Centre (ICC)
ADE
T R E E TJ BRAM
A L I WA L
JO R S
AD
O
Botanic W EBSTE SO
PLACE
INGC
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Victoria Dai r y
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Gardens D A
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S TA L W
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A M ST The Workshop M IL N E
UCE
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SW
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Shopping Mall
M KHIZE ROAD
RTHA
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Victoria Street Y ST T ER
HURLE S T R E EN T Y N A I C K
ZAM
Juma D E NI S T
Market MO STREE
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Mosque XUMA
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Berea T
ME STREE
A ST
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Road DR A Tourist XLE Y KA EDE
DR PI LEMB
AN
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Playhouse
DR YU
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ALIBA
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JOSEP
Victoria DR
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AL E X
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UL
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Exploring Durban
Away from the beachfront and central business district,
beautiful mosques, richly-decorated temples and vibrant
street markets await the visitor. Nature reserves and
sanctuaries are situated on the outskirts of Durban,
among them the Umgeni River Bird Park, north of the
city, which houses exotic birds in walk-through aviaries,
while the Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding, in the
suburb of Chatsworth, never fails to impress with its
grandiose opulence. Tour operators offer city tours
to most of these sights. Exotic curry and masala spice
Old Station Building residential area. Today it is called oldest yacht club in Africa. Its
Durban’s former railway station, Margaret Mncadi Avenue and is restaurant is open to the public.
a four-storey, red-brick building, lined with modern skyscrapers.
was completed in 1894. In the There are, however, still a few E Port Natal Maritime Museum
entrance of the building stands sights worth seeking out. Margaret Mncadi Avenue.
a statue in memory of Mahatma At the eastern end is the Tel 031 311 2231. Open 8:30am–
Gandhi, who bought a train late-Victorian cast-iron Da Gama 3:30pm Mon–Sat, 11am–3:30pm
ticket to Johannesburg here in Clock, erected to commemorate Sun. 7
June 1893. the 400th anniversary of Vasco
E Royal Natal Yacht Club
The building’s most curious Da Gama’s discovery of a sea
Yacht Mole, Margaret Mncadi
feature is the roof, which is route to India in 1847.
Avenue. Tel 031 301 5425.
designed to carry the weight of Photographs and memora- Open Restaurant: 8am–10pm
5 m (16 ft) of snow. The London bilia of Durban’s seafaring past daily. 7 ∑ rnyc.org.za
firm of architects accidentally are displayed in the Port Natal
switched the plans with those Maritime Museum. The tug- P Victoria Street Market
for Toronto in Canada and the boats Ulundi and J R More and Cnr Bertha Mkhize & Denis Hurley sts.
roof of Toronto station caved in the minesweeper SAS Durban Tel 031 306 4021. Open 6am–6pm
during the first heavy snowfalls. form part of the exhibits. Mon–Sat, 10am–4pm Sun.
The Tourist Junction has a wide Just to the west of the
range of maps and brochures; museum is the Dick King statue, At the end of the N3 flyover,
the staff can advise on all the commemorating a British trader where the motorway meets
sights in the city centre and who embarked on an epic the streets of central Durban,
beyond. There is also a booking horse-ride to Grahamstown is the Victoria Street Market.
office for accommodation at the to request reinforcements The building is striking – each
national parks (the only other during the Boer siege of Port of its 11 domes was modelled
offices are in Cape Town and Natal in 1842. on a notable building in India.
Pretoria), and a booking office The fine Durban Club, built In this crowded bazaar, visitors
for Durban Tourism’s informative in 1904, on the opposite side can sample the tastes and
walking tours. of the road is one of the few aromas of the Orient as they
original buildings remaining browse through more than
Victoria Embankment on the Victoria Embankment, 170 stalls offering spices and
Margaret Mncadi Avenue. while further to the west, the incense, fabrics, leather goods,
The Victoria Embankment was Royal Natal Yacht Club was brassware and ceramics. Its
built in 1897 as an upmarket founded in 1858 and is the street food stalls serve up
delicious snacks such as
samosas and Durban curry.
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290 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
Crocworld
In a 60-ha (148-acre) indigenous botanic
garden near Scottburgh, Crocworld has
12,000 Nile crocodiles and the largest eagle
cage on the African continent.
Oribi Gorge
The Oribi Gorge, 21 km (13 miles) inland from Port
Shepstone, is a scenic, thickly-forested area where cliffs Ill
ov
Um
o
rise from the deep chasms and open out to reveal the
ko
ma
0 km 10 Vernon Crookes
Nature Reserve
0 miles 10
Umkomaas
Um
Ifa
fa
zim
Umzinto
ku
Scottburgh
lu
Um Park Rynie
zim
ku
lw
Sezela
an
a
Oribi Gorge
zu
M
Nature mb
Reserve e
Hibberdene
Ndongeni’s
Grave
Port Shepstone
Umtamvuna
Nature Margate
Reserve
San Lameer
Port Edward
Port Edward
This village near the San Lameer
Umtamvuna Nature Two good golf courses, a
Reserve is the location of private beach and a nature
Caribbean Estates, a reserve make San Lameer a
popular timeshare resort. sought-after holiday resort.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389 and pp407–8
DURBAN AND ZULULAND 291
Key
Motorway
Major road
Tarred road
Untarred road
Umhlanga Rocks
This pretty resort town merges with
Durban North. Its beach is domin- Darnall
Stanger
ated by a red-and-white lighthouse. Tugela
Mouth
Shakaskraal Zinkwazi Beach
Shaka’s Memorial
Salt Rock Blythdale Beach
Tongaat
Shaka’s Rocks
Kranskloof Ballito
Nature
Reserve
Pinetown
Umhlanga Rocks
Durban
Umlazi
Isipingo Ballito
A Mediterranean-style,
Umbogintwini
high-rise resort just north
Amanzimtoti
of Durban, Ballito offers
safe swimming with full-
time lifeguards and natural
rock pools.
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www.ebook3000.com
296 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
3 North Coast
This subtropical region is
renowned for attractive
towns, sheltered bays, quiet
beaches and forested dunes
that give way to a green
carpet of sugar cane and
timber plantations. Northern
KwaZulu-Natal has escaped
the rampant development of
the South Coast and offers
unspoiled nature at its best. Visitor canoeing in a lagoon on the Mlalazi River
4 Gooderson
Dumazulu Lodge
and Traditional
Village
Road map F3. Bushlands Rd,
Hluhluwe. Tel 035 562 2260.
Open daily. & 8 0 =
∑ goodersonleisure.co.za
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300 THE EAST COAST AND INTERIOR
Introducing Gauteng,
Limpopo and
Mpumalanga 304–309
Gauteng and Sun City 310–329
Limpopo, Mpumalanga
and Kruger 330–347
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304 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Introducing Gauteng,
Limpopo and Mpumalanga
From natural marvels to bustling modern cities – this region
offers something for everyone. Built above one of the world’s
wealthiest gold seams, Johannesburg is Africa’s most
sophisticated city, though its sleek business districts and
exclusive suburbs contrast strikingly with its modest “other Locator Map
half” Soweto. Further east, the Kruger National Park, set on
the hot plains of the Lowveld, supports some of Africa’s largest
concentrations of wildlife. To the west lies the Magaliesberg
range and grandeur of the Lost City. Further north, subtropical
Limpopo Province is home to the Waterberg Mountains (South
Africa’s premier malaria-free, game-viewing region) and rigged
landscapes of historic Mapungubwe National Park.
Lephalale
Modimolle
Potchefstroom
Klerksdorp Vereeniging
Johannesburg is the
largest city in South
Africa and has grown
phenomenally from the
simple mining camp of
1886 into one of Africa’s
most important
commerical, industrial
and financial centres.
Seen here in the Kruger National Park, the elephant is one of the “Big Five” African animals
INTRODUCING GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA 305
Musina
Louis Trichardt
Modjadiskloof
Tzaneen
Polokwane
BaPhalaborwa
Mokopane
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA
AND KRUGER
(See pp330–47)
Pilgrim’s Rest
Groblersdal
Mbombela
(Nelspruit)
0 kilometres 100
0 miles 50
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306 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Zebra
The giraffe is the tallest of the Kudu are large antelopes that do Sable antelopes require tall
browsers and favours areas not need to drink frequently, and grass of a high quality that grows
where acacias are abundant. live in dense woodland. on well-drained soils.
INTRODUCING GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA 307
Roan
Tourist Guidelines
To ensure the safety of visitors and maintain the park’s essential attributes, a few
regulations are necessary. It is important to observe speed limits, as the animals, too,
use the roads as thoroughfares. Since camp closing times are strictly enforced, a good
rule of thumb is to calculate an average travelling speed, including stops, of 20 kph
(12 mph). Visitors are not permitted to leave their
Baboons can be
cars except at the designated picnic sites and
aggressive
facilities such as shops and takeaways at the larger
rest camps – all of the animals are wild and
unpredictable, and the predators are superbly
camouflaged. Although baboons and vervet
monkeys may beg for food, particularly around
the camp sites, feeding them is a punishable offence.
It disrupts natural behaviour, and often produces
Visitors blatantly ignoring the rules aggression, particularly in male baboons.
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308 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Gold Mining
Vast natural resources make South Africa one of the richest Johannesburg
www.ebook3000.com
GAUTENG,LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA 311
In October, the streets of Pretoria are ablaze with lilac jacaranda blossoms
Doors of the Constitutional Court, Johannesburg, with carvings symbolizing the rights enshrined in the Constitution
www.ebook3000.com
312 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Ma
just 56 km (35 miles) north of Johannesburg along the N1
tla
b
motorway, and today the two cities are almost joined up by the
as
Spanwerk
burgeoning development that surrounds them on the Highveld.
To the northwest, Sun City and Pilanesberg Game Reserve lie Rooibosbult
next to each other and are nearly always visited together.
o
ric
Ma Sentrum
Cro
cod
Maricosdraai
ile
Thabazimbi
Derdepoort
n t 1499 m
ra
Ramotswa Ganskuil
t ein
on Middelwit
MADIKWE itf
W ier
GAME RESERVE B
Nietverdiend Northam
Silkaatskop
PILANESBERG 1687 m
Blairbeth
GAME RESERVE
Zeerust
Groot-Marico Millvale Bospoort Dam
Lichtenburg
Swartplaas
Biesiesvlei Coligny
Madibogo Carletonville
1 Johannesburg Ventersdorp
2 Soweto Sannieshof Gerdau
ts
3 Gold Reef City Har
Fochville
Kuruman
4 Sandton and Rosebank Delareyville
Brakspriut
6 Pretoria Hartbeesfontein
Potchefstroom
7 Sun City Ottosdal
8 Pilanesberg Game Reserve Renosterspruit Klerksdorp
Orkney Parys
9 Madikwe Game Reserve
Vierfontein
l
a
Tour Wolmaransstad
Va
Bloemfontein
Key
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
GAUTENG AND SUN CITY 313
Monte Christo
Pa
Mokolo
l
al
a
Villa Nora
Marken
Lephalale
Groesbeek
Mokolo
Dam
Mokamole Tinmyne
Ster
Hermanusdorings
LIMPOPO
k
Mokopane
Vaalwater be rge Polokwane
glip
Han
ge
rber Vanalphensvlei Haakdoring
Wate
Mookgophong
Rooiberg Modimolle
Middelfontein
Holme Park The Valley of the Waves at Sun City
Bela-Bela
Leeuport Nutfield
Settlers ds Getting Around
an
Klipvoor Radium El Major roads radiate in all directions
Dam Siyabuswa
from Johannesburg and Pretoria,
Rust de Winter
Pienaarsrivier but the most direct roads linking
Dennilton
Marokolong them are the N1 and R21. Heading
Soutpan
Rooikoppies- Kwamhlanga
west, the N4/R104 from Pretoria
Loskop Dam
Dam Mabopane Game Reserve heads to the popular weekend
Hartbeespoort Wilge retreat of Hartbeespoort Dam. Sun
Dam Lammerkop City and Pilanesberg are approximately
PRETORIA 140 km (87 miles) west of Pretoria,
Range
GAUTENG Bronkhorstspruit Middelburg and 170 km (105 miles) northwest
Emalahleni of Johannesburg. There are a
SANDTON & number of approaches but the
GAUTENG ROSEBANK Nelspruit
TOUR Ogies most direct is to take the N4
Coalville to Rustenberg, from where it is
GOLD JOHANNESBURG
REEF CITY MPUMALANGA 50 km (31 miles) northwest on the
R565 to the entrance of Sun City.
Germiston Kriel
SOWETO Devon
Nigel
Daleside Kinross Bethal
Heidelberg Davel
Evander
Sasolburg Greylingstad
Dasville Bettiesdam Morgenzon
Va
al
Vaal Dam er val
Wat
Oranjeville
Villiers Va
a
STATE
l
Heilbron Cornelia
W
ilg
Frankfort
e
Harrismith
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
E Museum Africa
121 Bree St, Newtown. Tel 011 833
5624. Open 8am–5pm daily.
&7=
= Oriental Plaza
Bree and Margaret Mcingana sts,
Fordsburg. Tel 011 838 6752.
Open 8:30am–5pm Mon–Fri, 8:30am–
3pm Sat. Closed noon–2pm Fri. 0
= ∑ orientalplaza.co.za
Traditional arts and crafts are sold at many markets in Johannesburg
E SAB World of Beer
Exploring Johannesburg F Market Theatre Complex 15 Helen Joseph St (entrance in
Johannesburg’s attractions are Crn Bree and Miriam Makeba. Gerard Sekoto St), Newtown. Tel 011
widely spread so it is advisable Tel 011 832 1641. 0 - 7 836 4900. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sat,
to hire a car or make use of the ∑ markettheatre.co.za 10am–5pm Sun & Mon. & 0 =
Gautrain or bus services such as ∑ worldofbeer.co.za
The Market Theatre Complex is
Rea Vaya or the hop-on-hop-off the centre of the Newtown South African Breweries (SAB),
City Sight-seeing bus, or to take Cultural Precinct, which includes established in 1895, is the
one of the many half-day tours the Market Theatre, SAB World of largest brewer by volume in the
on offer. While most of the sights Beer, the Workers’ Museum and world. In this modern museum
in the city centre can be Library and Museum Africa. A there is an entertaining display of
explored on foot, this is a busy great effort has been made to the company’s long history. Other
place and caution is required. make this a safe place to visit. exhibits focus on the develop-
Originally an Indian fruit ment of brewing in ancient
City Centre market, the
P Origins Centre complex now
Yale Rd, Braamfontein. Tel 011 717 houses three
4700. Open 10am–5pm daily. theatres, two
Closed public hols. & - 0 =
∑ origins.org.za
Part of the University of the
Witwatersrand (Wits), this centre
traces the origins of man from
the Stone Age, and houses the
country’s most important Khoi
and San rock art. A technical
exhibit focuses on how genetic
testing contributes to under-
standing our ancestry. Also here
is the Wits Art Museum, with
displays of traditional African art. Museum Africa, part of the Market Theatre Complex in Newtown
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
JOHANNESBURG 315
JA S AM HAN C OC K
2 Market Theatre Complex
RO
N STREET
J OU B E R T
EMPIRE
BRAAM-
SM
3 Museum Africa
UTS V E N U
Constitution
A
Witwatersrand
STRE ET
Hill
5 Diagonal Street S T R E ET
S T RE E T
KOTZE
E
Joburg
LO V E D
Theatre
Origins
7 Kwa-Zulu Muti
BE
AY
ET
Centre TS STRE
S TE I M EN
RT
S
TREET
TREET
S T RE E T ST R E E T
RI S SE N RTE
STREE T
W O LM Joubert
q Carlton Centre & QUE
EN Park
M1
Nelson
HARR
R I S SI K
ST
EL I
Johannesburg
w Johannesburg Art Gallery
ISON
Art Gallery
E T H D R IVE
STREE
NEWTOWN Park
e Constitution Hill Station
STREE
.
PL EIN ST
Market Theatre RE E T Ellis Park
S IM
TR E ET Complex
I
GW IG WRE ET B RE E ST Stadium
VON W
MO N D
C AR R S MR W EB
I ST RE E T
J E PP E ST
T RE ET Joomal
TROYE
I E LI G
TOWN STREET
Diagonal Street EN T
H T ST
Oriental PR ES ID
ST
ET
TR EE T
Q UE E N ST R E ET
ONER S
Kwa-Zulu Muti IS SI & Top of Africa
COMM Bus
Main Street Station Gandhi
RD Mall Square
AL L S TR EE T
RE E F M A R SH RE ET
M A IN Johannesburg
RS O N ST
Central Police Magistrates’ AN DE Standard Bank
Station Court
Apartheid Museum, Art Gallery
0 metres 750 Gold Reef City
BLOEMFONTEIN
0 yards 750
E Standard Bank Art Gallery includes relics from the early Gandhi, who came to
Cnr Simmonds and Fredericks sts. gold-rush days as well as Johannesburg in 1903 and
Tel 011 631 4467. Open 8am– modern sculptures and water worked as a lawyer and civil
4:30pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm Sat. features. On weekdays Main rights activist. Gandhi’s
Closed Sun, public hols. 7 Street is filled with office- profession often brought him
∑ sponsorships.standardbank.com workers enjoying the street to the Transvaal Law Courts
The unusual setting of a cafés and with a high security (now demolished), which were
working bank conceals a presence, it’s a safe area to located in the square.
sophisticated gallery that explore. Look out for the In 2003, a larger-than-life-
provides a remarkable Leaping Impala sculpture sized statue of Gandhi in his
showcase for talented local and outside the Anglo American lawyer’s robes by sculptor
international artists. As well as building; a mine headgear Trinka Christopher was
changing exhibitions, the structure on the corner of Sauer unveiled here. Trendy shops,
display features part of the Street that was once at the restaurants and cafés line the
Standard Bank’s own extensive Langlaagte Mine; the Art Deco southern side of the square.
collection. The gallery has easy- bas relief on the side of the BHP
to-follow explanations of both Billiton building, showing P Carlton Centre &
the collection and the African scenes of early miners working Top of Africa
fine art form. The building also above and below ground; and 150 Commissioner Street. Tel 011 308
hosts recitals and concerts. the stamp mill in front of the 1331. Open 9am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–
Chamber of Mines building. 5pm Sat, 9am–2pm Sun. & - =
P Main Street Mall A key downtown landmark, the
In the heart of the central P Gandhi Square Carlton Centre is 50 storeys or
business district, this traffic-free The former Government 223 m (730 ft) tall, making it
section of Main Street runs from Square, dating from 1893, the African continent’s highest
the Magistrates Court on Ntemi was completely refurbished as building. For a small fee visitors
Piliso Street in the west to a large piazza-style public can take the lift up to the Top
Gandhi Square in the east. It is space in 2002 as part of a of Africa observation deck on
lined with office blocks that are wider redevelopment of the the 50th floor, where amazing
home to many corporate and surrounding district. The panoramic views of the city
mining companies. Dubbed the square was also given a new can be enjoyed. On very clear
Mining District Walk, an outdoor name, after the prominent days, the Voortrekker
museum along the street Indian politician Mahatma Monument near Pretoria can
be seen. The building was
completed in 1973 as part of
a hotel complex, although the
hotel no longer operates.
Today there is a shopping mall
on the lower levels.
E Constitution Hill
11 Kotze St, Braamfontein. Tel 011
381 3100. Open 9am–5pm daily.
Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. & Blackburn Buccaneer in the South African National Museum of Military History
7 8 last tour: 4pm
∑ constitutionhill.org.za including the only polar bears in South African resistance
This remarkable development is Africa. It offers plenty of activities movements. It displays more
a living museum documenting and occasionally opens in the than 44,000 items, divided into
South Africa’s turbulent past evenings for night-time tours to 37 separate categories,
and its transition to democracy. see the nocturnal animals. including the nation’s official
The site incorporates the Old Across Jan Smuts Avenue, war art and war photography
Fort Prison Complex, a notorious Zoo Lake is a large park with well- collections. It also has some
jail for more than a century established lawns and mature of the world’s rarest military
where many, including Nelson trees. Rowing boats can be aircraft, including the only
Mandela, were imprisoned. hired, and there’s a large open-air surviving night fighter version
South Africa’s Constitutional swimming pool and a tea garden. of the feared German Me 262
Court, established in 1994 after pioneer jet aircraft.
the country’s first democratic E South African National
elections, now occupies the Museum of Military History E Apartheid Museum
eastern side of the complex. 20 Erlswold Way, Saxonwold. Tel 011 Northern Parkway and Gold Reef
646 5513. Open 9am–4:30pm daily. Road, Ormonde. Tel 011 309 4700.
O Johannesburg Zoo Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. & 7 Open 9am–5pm daily. Closed Good
Cnr Jan Smuts Ave and Upper Park ∑ ditsong.org.za Fri, 25 Dec. & 8 Tue–Sun. -
Drive, Parkview. Tel 011 646 2000. ∑ apartheidmuseum.org
Open 8:30am–5pm daily. & 8 7 Initially opened by the then The darkest days of South Africa’s
- ∑ jhbzoo.org.za prime minister Field Marshal turbulent past are chillingly
Established in 1904, today this is Jan Smuts in 1947 to evoked at this fascinating
one of the best-regarded zoos commemorate South Africa’s museum. To set the mood, there
in the world, with spacious, role in the two World Wars, this are separate entrances for whites
natural enclosures that are outstanding museum also and non-whites. Documenting
home to some 2,000 animals covers the Anglo-Zulu War, the triumph of the human spirit
from more than 350 species, the Anglo-Boer War and the over adversity, the displays recall
the National Party’s apartheid
policy, which came into force
in 1948 and turned 20 million
non-whites into legally defined
second-class citizens. Particularly
powerful exhibits include a room
with 131 nooses representing
the number of political prisoners
hanged during apartheid,
BBC footage taken in 1961 of
Nelson Mandela when he was
in hiding from the authorities,
and a series of evocative
photographs taken by Ernest
Cole before he was sent into
exile during the late 1960s.
Allow at least two hours to
visit the museum, but note
that it is not suitable for
children under 11 because
of the harrowing nature of the
The entrance to the Apartheid Museum, with its separate doorways material on display.
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318 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
2 Soweto
Soweto is the oldest, largest and best-known of the so-called
“townships” in Gauteng. Its oldest quarter, Pimville (originally
Klipspruit), was established in 1904; the suburb of Orlando
sprung up in the 1930s; another settlement of 20,000 squatters
took root in the 1940s; and Meadowlands was created to
accommodate people evicted from Sophiatown in 1959. This
cluster of settlements was formally amalgamated as “Soweto” in
1963. Several pivotal events associated with the anti-apartheid
struggle took place in Soweto, most notably the drawing up of
the Freedom Charter in 1955 and the student uprising of 1976.
It has also been home to some of the country’s most revered
figures, including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond
Tutu, who once lived a few houses apart on Vilakazi Street. Mandela House Family Museum, former
home of Nelson Mandela
Exploring Soweto illuminate and contextualise the
Although it is no longer unsafe to Soweto Uprising – an event fit into the structure, an unusual
visit, Soweto is still best explored whose broader significance can A-frame with low side walls only
on a guided tour and a half- or be gauged by the fact that 16 a quarter as high as the pinnacle
full-day here ranks among June, the anniversary of the first of the tall sloping roof. The
Johannesburg’s most popular protest, is now commemorated church served as a clandestine
tourist activities. Tours are usually as a public holiday. rendezvous for activists during
guided by Soweto residents and the apartheid era, when overt
take in key landmarks associated E Mandela House political meetings were
with the anti-apartheid move- Family Museum outlawed. It also provided refuge
ment, along with a visit to a local Vilakazi Street. Tel 011 936 7754. to demonstrators fleeing the
shebeen (bar) or restaurant, while Open 9am–5pm daily. & police in the 1976 Soweto
avoiding potential trouble spots. ∑ mandelahouse.com Uprising, and scars of gunfire
This small museum preserves associated with that event can
E Hector Pieterson 8115 Orlando West, the modest still be seen on the interior and
Memorial and Museum house where Nelson Mandela outside walls. US president Bill
Khumalo Street, Orlando West. lived from 1948, until he was Clinton and his wife Hillary took
Tel 011 536 0611/2. Open 10am– imprisoned in 1963, initially with communion at Regina Mundi
5pm Mon–Sat, 10am–4pm Sun. his first wife Evelyn Ntoko Mase, in 1998, and former First Lady
& museum only. then from 1958 with his second Michelle Obama made an
On 16 July 1976, 13-year-old wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. address here in the company
Hector Pieterson became the It was restored in 2009 and of Nelson Mandela’s wife Graca
first victim of police action in now functions as a museum Machel in 2013.
the Soweto Uprising, a landmark dedicated to the Mandela family.
wave of anti-apartheid clashes Walter Sisulu Square
triggered by student protests 5 Regina Mundi Church Cnr Klipspruit Valley & Union Rd.
against the proposed Khumalo Street. Tel 011 986 2546. Tel 011 945 2200. Open 9am–5pm
introduction of Afrikaans in local Open 9am-5pm daily. & Mon-Fri, 9am–4pm Sat & Sun.
schools. More than 20,000 ∑ reginamundichurch.co.za ∑ walter-sisulusquare.co.za
people took part in the protests, Built in 1964, Regina Mundi is Describing itself as “South Africa’s
and a subsequent commission South Africa’s largest Catholic first township entertainment
attributed 451 student deaths church. Up to 5,000 people can explosion centre”, Walter Sisulu
and 2,389 injuries to the police.
The poignant Hector Pieterson
Memorial, erected in the early
1990s two blocks from where its
namesake was shot by police, is
dominated by Sam Nzima’s
iconic photograph of the dying
Pieterson being carried by
another student, accompanied
by his elder sister Antoinette.
Next to the memorial, the Hector
Pieterson Museum houses
photographs, oral testimonies
and historical documents that The interior of the Regina Mundi Church
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
JOHANNESBURG 319
0 Kilometre 1
0 mile 1
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320 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Shebeens
The Casbah Gang Den
was the most notorious
shebeen. At these illegal
drinking spots, workers
and teachers, both white
and black, would meet.
Sophiatown Gangs
Gangsters looked to the USA for role
models. The most admired gang in
Sophiatown was a snappily dressed,
limousine-driving group known as
“The Americans”.
Essence of Sophiatown
Despite the poverty, squalor, petty
crime and violence, Sophiatown’s
stimulating vibe differed from that of
other townships in the country. People
of all races could (and did) buy and
own properties here.
Leaving Sophiatown
It took four years to remove all of the
inhabitants to Meadowlands. By 1959,
Sophiatown had been demolished.
JOHANNESBURG 321
= Sandton City
Cnr Sandton Dr & Rivonia rds.
Tel 011 217 6000. Open 9am–7pm
Mon–Thu, 9am–8pm Fri, 9am–6pm
Sat & Sun. 7 - 0 =
∑ sandton-city.co.za
E Liliesleaf Farm
George Ave, Rivonia. Tel 011 803
7882. Open 8:30am–5pm Mon–Fri,
9am–4pm Sat & Sun. & 7 8 0
∑ liliesleaf.co.za
= Rosebank Mall
Cradock St, Rosebank. Tel 011 788
5530. Open 9am–6pm Mon–Sat,
10am–5pm Sun. 7 - 0 =
Playing in the fountain at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton ∑ rosebankmall.co.za
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
www.ebook3000.com
322 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
5 Touring Gauteng
Much of Gauteng consists of the industrial
areas that have helped to generate the
nation’s wealth, but the vibrant metropo
litan centres of Johannesburg and Pretoria
are surrounded by a green belt that offers
various facilities for outdoor recreation.
Popular destinations such as the Ann van
Dyk Cheetah Centre, Hartbeespoort Dam
and the hiking trails of the Magaliesberg
2 The Magaliesberg Range
mountain range are accessible via an
This chain of low hills between Pretoria and
excellent network of motorways. Rustenburg is popular with hikers. The area has many
hotels, guest farms, caravan parks and camp sites.
Rustenburg
erg
J Mooinooi sb
Buffelspoort a lie
M ag
Dam
Nooitgedacht Blockhouse
Battlesite
J
1 Maropeng Visitor Centre
Housed in the Tumulus Building, this is the
official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind, J
a paleoanthropological site which was declared
a World Heritage Site in 1999 (see pp48–9).
0 Walter Sisulu
Tips for Drivers National Botanical
Garden
Length: 200 km (124 miles). The Witpoortje Falls
Hartbeespoort Dam is an form the focus of the
hour’s drive from Pretoria garden, where
and Johannesburg. indigenous highveld
Stopping-off points: Past flora such as aloes
Hartebeesport at the and proteas attract
Damdoryn crossroads, the many bird species.
Welwitschia Country Market
has shops and restaurants.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
GAUTENG AND SUN CITY 323
3 Hartbeespoort Dam
A 17sqkm (7sqmile) water surface
makes this a prime weekend
destination for those living in
Johannesburg and Pretoria.
0 kilometres 10
0 miles 5
De Wildt
Thabazimbi
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324 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
P Melrose House
275 Jeff Masemola St. Tel 012 322
2805. Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun.
Closed public hols. & -
∑ melrosehouse.co.za
In the 1880s, British architect
Paul Kruger Monument, Church Square, Pretoria William Vale designed this home
for transport contractor George
Exploring Pretoria the British. Anton van Wouw’s Heys. The house, featuring nearly
Historic buildings, gracious statue of Paul Kruger was cast in all forms of precast embellish-
parks, theatres and restaurants Italy in 1899, the year the ment available, was inspired by
can be found throughout this Transvaal Republic went to war Cape Dutch architecture, English
elegant, compact city, which against the British Empire. country houses and Indian
centres on the attractive, pavilions. Today, the museum still
pedestrianized Church Square. F South African State has many of its original contents.
Theatre During the South African
O National Zoological Pretorius St. Tel 012 392 4000. War, Melrose House was the
Gardens ∑ statetheatre.co.za residence of Lord Kitchener,
232 Boom St. Tel 012 339 2700. This Japanese-style complex has British commander-in-chief.
Open 8:30am–5:30pm daily. & five theatres where ballets, dramas, It was here that the Treaty of
7 0 = ∑ nzg.ac.za operas, musicals and classical Vereeniging was signed on
Better-known as Pretoria Zoo, concerts are performed regularly. 31 May 1902, ending the war.
this parkland lies in the heart of
the city on the bank of the Apies
River. One of the top ten zoos in
Ndebele Arts and Crafts
the world, it is very conservation The Ndebele are noted for their colourful dress and their art, which
conscious. Much time and effort includes sculpted figurines, pottery, beadwork, woven
is spent on breeding programmes mats, and their celebrated wall painting (see
of rare or endangered species p413). An outstanding example is
such as the Cape mountain zebra the beaded nguba, a “marriage
and the stately Arabian oryx. blanket” which the bride-to-be,
inspired by her ancestors, makes
P Church Square under the supervision and
Cnr WF Nkomo and Paul Kruger sts.
instruction of the older women in
her tribe. Traditionally, the women
Among the buildings on the work the land and are the principal
square are the Raadsaal (1890), decorators and artists, while the men
one-time parliament of the fashion metal ornaments such as the
former Boer Republic, and the heavy bracelets, anklets and neck
Palace of Justice (1899), used as Typical Ndebele art rings that are worn by women.
a military hospital until 1902 by
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
GAUTENG AND SUN CITY 325
National
PAU L KRU GER
Zoological
Gardens
750
IS
0 metres
LE W
BO Union
SOPH IE DE BRUY
OM
KGO SI MAM PURU
D
STR UBE N ED MON
BLA CK WO
Palace of OAS E
JOHA NNES RAM OKH
ARCADIA
DU TO IT
Groot Justice
SISU LU
ED
N
OD
WA
Kerk A SAMMY
MA DIB
RD
MARKS
HEL EN JOS EPH
JOHA N
WE SSE LS
LEY DS
SQUARE
CHURCH Sammy
Marks
WF NKO MO SQUARE STRIJDOM South African PRE TO RIU S Museum
SQUARE State Theatre
Raadsaal
RD
Kruger's PRETOR IUS FRA NC IS BAA
A
S IT
Church
NA
RD
FRA NCI S BAA
GR EE
VAN DER WALT
NA
NAN A SITA
TRE VEN NA
NAN A SITA National Museum
Pretoria City Centre
O
VISAGIE
of Natural History
BIK
KO
TZE
THA BO
Museum
K
STE
DY
Park Burgers
2 Church Square
ER
Park
City Hall
MO
SEH UME
O TEN
JEFF MA SEM
OLA
3 Raadsaal
D
R IS
AR
CH
Voortrekker S IK
4 South African State Theatre
RR
Melrose
ES
House
BO
5 City Hall
RA
LIL IAN NG
V AN
ILW
W A LK
ER
6 National Museum of Natural History
AY
JOHANNESBURG
7 Melrose House
OY I
Train
Station
8 Union Buildings
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328 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Cheetah Fountain
This superb bronze sculpture shows impalas,
frozen in flight from the feared predator.
. Central Fresco
The fresco that adorns the
0 metres
dome of the reception area
20
measures 16 m (52 ft) in
0 yards 25 diameter and took 5,000
hours to complete.
KEY
1 Buffalo Wing
2 King’s Tower
3 Desert Suite and
Presidential Suites
4 Queen’s Tower
5 Elephant Atrium
6 Some 1,600,000 trees, shrubs,
plants and groundcovers were
planted at the Lost City
7 The porte-cochère leads to the
domed lobby.
The Valley of the Waves
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10
www.ebook3000.com
GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA 331
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA
AND KRUGER
The attractions in the northeastern part of the country
include a deeply carved canyon and the nature reserves
that surround it, panoramic views, trout-fishing dams, and
the charming gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, preserved
as a living museum.
South Africa’s topography is at its most Much of the Lowveld plains is occupied
dramatic where the Drakensberg’s by the Kruger National Park, one of the
northern reaches drop sheer to the hot world’s oldest and largest wildlife reserves.
bushveld plains below. From here, visitors The southern part, south of the Letaba
can look out over the Eastern Escarpment River and closer to the metropolitan area
to where the savannah merges with the of Gauteng, is very popular and the most
distant coastal plains of Mozambique, frequently visited. Tourist numbers are
and hike through the ravines of the considerably lower in the east and the
Blyde River Canyon. remote north, which is renowned for its
High rainfall on the steep mountain long-tusked elephants. Strict management
slopes contributes to the growth of dense policies prevent the Kruger National
forests, as well as the country’s greatest Park from becoming a victim of its own
concentration of waterfalls. More timber success, while some of the tourist pressure
is produced here than anywhere else in is relieved by the privately-run luxury
South Africa, and there are vast pine and reserves along its western border.
eucalyptus tree plantations. Scenic drives Lowveld farming produces a variety of
include the Panorama Route, with its citrus fruit from a number of large estates.
unobstructed view sites, which is accessible Tobacco, nuts, mangoes and avocados
from the busy little town of Graskop. are also successfully grown.
o
pop
Mpumalanga and Kruger MAPUNGUBWE
Lim
NATIONAL PARK Musina
Evangelina
Early prospectors flocked to the eastern Usutu
Mopane
part of the country in search of gold, Alldays k
Bra
d
Maasstroom
and found it in the rivers and
San
Tonash
Masekwaspoort
streams. Today, visitors are Carlow
Pass
Waterpoort
attracted by the natural Tom Burke erg Soutpansberg
beauty and the superb nature ub
Marnitz Blo Vivo
Louis
reserves. Here, the Blyde River Trichardt
has cut a mighty canyon, and Baltimore Woudkop LIMPOPO
close by, the edge of the Drakensberg
Steilloopbrug Dendron
range rises from the grassy plains a
kilometre below. This is wildlife conservation Botlokwa
Mooketsi
country, home of the renowned Kruger National
Matlala Rita
Park and a cluster of exclusive private reserves. There Limburg Olyfberg
are airstrips and excellent accommodation – just a few Seshego TZANEEN
Mashashane
hours’ drive away from the cities in Gauteng.
POLOKWANE
Mokopane 2128m
ge
Strydpoortber
Sights at a Glance Pretoria
Zebediela
Lebowa Kgomo
1 Dullstroom WATERBERG
ts
2 Lydenburg
an
if
3 Mbombela Roedtan Ol
5 Pilgrim’s Rest
6 Blyde River Canyon Tompi Seleka
Kennedy's
Key
7 Waterberg Vale
8 Polokwane Motorway Marble Hall
9 Tzaneen Major road Hlogotlou
0 Mapungubwe National Park Minor road Groblersdal
q Kruger National Park pp340–45 Roossenekal
Untarred road
w Private Reserves Rooikraal
Scenic route
e Swaziland pp346–7
Main railway
DULLSTROOM
Tour Minor railway
4 Waterfalls Tour p335 Kwaggaskop
International border
Provincial border eMakhazeni (Belfast)
Middelburg
Summit
Pass Johannesburg,
Pretoria
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
Quaint corrugated iron houses in the old mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA AND KRUGER 333
Limpopo
lele
Masisi
Nje
Pafuri
Tshipise Gate Pafuri
Border
Honnet Punda Post
KR
Nature Reserve Maria
UGE
Punda
Maria
Gate
R
Thohoyandou
Shingwedzi
Shing
wedzi
N AT
Ha-Magoro
Kle
in
Let
ab
Hildreth a
IONA
Ridge
Nkomo
Mopani
L
La Cotte Giriyondo
Border
Letsitele Post The mighty canyon carved by the Blyde River
Phalaborwa
Gate Letaba
PARK
Gravelotte
Ofcolaco
Mica
Klaserie
Game Reserve Timbavati Game Reserve Getting Around
Penge PRIVATE The N4 national road, running east from
Hoedspruit
RESERVES
Johannesburg and Pretoria, is the smoothest
Orpen
Klaserie Gate Satara and most direct route to the border of
BLYDE RIVER
CANYON Mozambique. Leave Johannesburg on the N12,
Manyeleti
which joins the N4 near Witbank. For destinations
PILGRIM’S Game Reserve in the Kruger Park or at Blyde River, turn north
REST Bosbokrand Mala Mala
onto other good, tarred roads – a few of the
Game Reserve
Graskop escarpment passes may seem narrow and
WATERFALLS TOUR Paul Kruger Gate steep. The Panorama Route, one of the highest
Sabie Hazyview Skukuza (park HQ) and most scenic roads in South Africa, includes
LYDENBURG Numbi Lower the picturesque old mining village of Pilgrim’s
Gate Sabie Rest (see pp336–7). Slow down and use the car’s
M P U M A L A N GMalalane
A Crocodile headlamps and fog lights in misty conditions
Schoemanskloof Gate
Bridge Gate (usually during late winter and early summer).
Pass Crocodile Komatipoort
MBOMBELA
ati
(NELSPRUIT) Kaapmuiden
Airlie
m
Ko
Avoca
Maputo
Barberton
Saddleback Ngonini
Kom Pass
ati Sihoye Maputo
Piggs Peak
Tshaneni
Malolotja
Nature Reserve Tabankulu
Croydon
Hlane
Waverley Mbabane Royal
National
Mlilwane Lobamba Park
Wildlife Sanctuary
Siteki
Lebo
Manzini
Loyengo Mkhaya
Nature
mbo
Sidvokodvo Reserve
Nhlangano Nsoko
Hluthi
Durban
Wildlife gathers at a waterhole in the Kruger National Park
For keys to symbols see back flap
www.ebook3000.com
334 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA AND KRUGER 335
4 Waterfalls Tour
High-lying ground, generous rainfall and heavy run-off have created spectacular waterfalls
in this old gold-mining area along the eastern Drakensberg escarpment. There are, in fact,
more waterfalls here than anywhere else in southern Africa. Several of them can be seen
on an easy round trip of less than 100 km (60 miles) between the towns of Sabie and
Graskop. Most are well signposted and easy to reach by car. Enchanting as they are, water-
falls can be slippery and dangerous, and visitors are urged to heed the warning notices.
0 kilometres 5
0 miles 3
on
Lisb
J
7 Berlin Falls
The water flows through a natural
sluice before falling 80 m (263 ft) to
6 Lisbon Falls the deep, dark-green pool below.
Graskop
The Lisbon Falls crash 90 m
(295 ft) down a rocky cliff. The Pilgrims Hazyview
old miners named many local Rest
places after towns in their
home countries. For e st
J Falls
Prospectors struck it rich in 1873, ending their search for Practical Information
gold in a picturesque valley of the Eastern Escarpment. Their Road map F2. 35 km (21 miles)
N of Sabie. n Main St, Uptown;
original village, today restored to its modest glory, is unique: 013 768 1060. & multi-entry.
the diggers built in “tin and timber”, thinking that, once the Alanglade House: 3 km (2 miles)
gold was exhausted, they would move on. But the gold lasted NE at R533 fork. Tel 013 768 1060.
almost 100 years, and Pilgrim’s Rest, 15 km (9 miles) west of 8 11am, 2pm daily. & book in
advance. ∑ pilgrims-rest.co.za
the eastern Drakensberg escarpment, is a living part of history.
Lydenburg
Caravan Park
R5
33
Joubert
Downtown Bridge
Historic k
Cemetery ree
sC
Royal m'
gri
Hotel Pil
33
R5
Uptown
Bly
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338 G UAT E N G , L I M P O P O A N D M P U M A L A N G A
Environs
A worthwhile stop en route
between Gauteng and Water-
berg is the Nylsvley Nature
Reserve, which protects the
Nyl Floodplain, one of South
Africa’s most important water-
bird sites. More than 375 bird
species have been recorded in
this small reserve, including
the rare slaty egret and rufous-
bellied heron. Walking trails also
offer a chance to get close to
non-dangerous large mammals A male and female giraffe at Polokwane Game Reserve
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA AND KRUGER 339
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340 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Li
mpopo
J
National Park Punda Maria
anywhere in the world. Equivalent in size to Israel,
this vast wilderness covers an area of 19,633 sq km Johannesburg
unsurfaced roads.
Phalaborwa
Game-watching
Elevated viewing platforms are found at many of the Kruger Klaserie
National Park’s rest camps. Game
Reserve
Avian wonders
KEY Dedicated twitchers
can easily notch up
1 Berg-en-Dal is studded with
magnificent ancient granite outcrops 100 species in a day,
including Khandzalive, the park’s especially during the
highest point at 839 m (2,752 ft). southern summer.
Even casual visitors
2 Lower Sabie This small, relaxed should prepare to be
camp stands at the pivot of two wowed by Kruger’s
productive game-viewing roads. colourful array of
3 Central savanna, the park’s most rollers, bee-eaters,
open habitat, attracts herds of wilde- kingfishers and hornbills,
beest and zebra, and is the best as well as the outsized
place to look for cheetahs. ostrich and Kori bustard,
and raptors such as
4 Olifants Camp stands on a
African fish-eagle and
wooded cliff overlooking the river
lappet-faced vulture.
after which it is named.
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Pafuri
Practical Information
Road map F1–2. Tel 012 428
9111 or 082 233 9111 (SANParks,
central reservations). Open
5:30am– 6:30pm Sep–Mar,
6am–6pm Apr–Aug. & 7 8
0 = ∑ sanparks.org
Transport
~ Nelspruit, Hoedspruit,
Mpumalanga, Phalaborwa,
Skukuza.
Kanniedood Northern Baobabs
Dam These ancient bulbous-trunked “upside-down
J
Giraffe
One of the park’s Road (untarred)
5,000-plus giraffes, Park Border
near Satara rest camp.
Mopani
Nkumbe Lookout
Leta
ba
J
Letaba
a
s Olifants
ant
Olif
Umbabat
Nature Reserve
Timbavati
Timbavati
Game Reserve Impala
Tamboti Particularly abundant
Satara around Skukuza, the graceful
Orpen impala is the most common
J
Skukuza
Sa
bi
e
Crocodile
Berg-en-Dal
J
Bridge
dile
oco Sabie River
Cr
Komatipoort One of six rivers flowing through the park, the Sabie is home
to many of the Kruger’s 3,000-plus hippos, while the fringing
woodland supports a small population of leopards.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
www.ebook3000.com
342 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Skukuza
Overlooking the Sabie River
13 km (8 miles) east of Paul
Kruger Gate, Skukuza is the
park’s second-oldest rest camp,
and by far the largest,
comprising 230 accom-
modation units and 80 camp
sites, with a total capacity of
1,000-plus visitors. Originally
known as Sabie Bridge (after a
railway bridge still standing
today), the camp was renamed
Crocodiles basking in the sun on the banks of Crocodile River in 1936 after the pioneering
warden James Stevenson-
Crocodile River positioned for a first night in the Hamilton, whose Tsonga
Flowing eastward along the park bush after travelling from nickname Skukuza means “he
border for 60 km (37 miles), the Gauteng. The accommodation who sweeps clean”. Skukuza
Crocodile River forms a natural is perhaps the most comfortable today doubles as the park’s
barrier between the untamed of any public rest camp, and the research and administrative
wilderness of Kruger and the hilly setting, overlooking a tree- headquarters, and its excellent
lush farmland to its south. It is lined dam, is lovely. One night range of facilities include an
overlooked by Crocodile Bridge, here is sufficient before airport, car-hire service,
the park’s most easterly rest pushing on deeper into bank, ATM, petrol station,
camp –situated 115 km (71 the park. post office, museum,
miles) from the provincial capital restaurant and shop.
Mbombela – and one of its Pretoriuskop Naysayers complain
smallest, set in an area Accessed via Numbi Gate – Skukuza is too large
renowned for its dense which opened 8 km and impersonal,
population of white rhino. (5 miles) to its west in but these flaws
On the Crocodile River, a short 1926, to be used by a are more than
drive east of camp, stands a total of three cars during compensated
hippo pool and a fascinating its first year of operation by its strategic
prehistoric rock painting site. Set – Pretorius-kop, the park’s location at the
between Crocodile Bridge and oldest rest camp, seems junction of three
the Lebombo Mountains on the more attuned to the superb game-
Mozambique border, the 150- sensibilities of viewing roads:
sq-km (58-sq-mile) Mpana-mana local holiday- the H3 to
Concession, reserved exclusively makers than to Malalane,
for the private Shishangani international The yellow billed hornbill can be H4–1 to Lower
Lodge and two satellite camps, tourists. Game- spotted in Kruger Sabie and
is good for spotting white rhino, viewing in the H1–2/3 to
lion and elephant. surrounding acacia woodland is Satara. Also in Skukuza’s favour
erratic, but the Voortrekker Road are the sprawling green
Berg-en-Dal (connecting it to Afsaal picnic grounds teeming with birds
Situated 13 km (8 miles) north- site) is a good place to look for and small mammals, and the
west of Malalane Gate, this the shy black rhino, stately eland river below that attracts plenty
modern rest camp is well- and sable antelope. of thirsty wildlife.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
K R U G E R N AT I O N A L PA R K 343
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344 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
Letaba Camp dry woodland. Elephants are exteriors are little changed since
Enjoying a commanding position plentiful, and the area supports their construction in 1933. The
overlooking the seasonal Letaba several localised antelope surrounding bush is a good
river 30 km (19 miles) north of species, but game viewing place to look for the rare
Olifants, this camp has chalets tends to be erratic. Far better to Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and
arranged in semi-circles over- drive 63 km (38 miles) north to African wild dog. Punda Maria is
looking the river, where tame Shingwedzi, whose location the closest public rest camp to
bushbucks stroll past and fig alongside the Shingwedzi Pafuri and the base for guided
trees attract colourful birds. River makes it a tours to the 16th-century stone
Game drives along the river often contender for Kruger’s ruins at the Thulamela
yield elephant sightings, while best-kept game- Heritage Site.
the mopani-swathed plains viewing secret. The
running west towards Phala- dirt road south to Pafuri and
borwa are the main stronghold Kanniedood Dam runs Makuleke
of the rare sable antelope. Set through the territory of The shady woodland
within the camp, Letaba Elephant some of the Kruger’s that verges the Luvuvhu
Hall, a museum dedicated to biggest elephants. It is River 60 km (37 miles)
the evolution and ecology of also good for buffalo north of Punda Maria
elephants, displays the tusks of and greater kudu, and offers some of the best
six of the so-called “Magnificent the birdlife is bird-watching in
Seven”, a generation of massive spectacular. Kruger. The exquisite
tuskers that thrived in the 1970s. Narina trogon is the
Punda Maria star of the public
Mopani and Shingwedzi Set at the base of A colourful Narina trogon Pafuri Picnic Site
Camps Dimbo Hill 72km one of the many bird species on the south bank,
Mopani, 50 km (30 miles) north (43 miles) northwest of and while wildlife
of Letaba, is a modern hillside Shingwedzi, Punda Maria is an viewing is erratic, the nyala
camp overlooking an artificial intimate camp with a remote antelope is abundant. North of
reservoir that attracts thirsty wilderness feel and white- the Luvuvhu, a triangle of land
wildlife out of the surrounding washed thatched huts whose bounded by the Limpopo rivers
to the north was appended to
Kruger in 1969 when its
Makuleke inhabitants were
forcibly ejected by the apartheid
regime. Traditional ownership
was restored in the 1990s and
the triangle now forms Makuleke
Contractual Park, which is
managed as part of Kruger but
hosts two exclusive private
lodges – intimate Pafuri Camp
on the north bank of the
Luvuvhu and The Outpost on a
hill offering stunning views over
its floodplain – leased from the
community. Both now operate
The Shingwedzi Rest Camp in Kruger National Park similarly to the private reserves.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp390–91 and pp410–11
K R U G E R N AT I O N A L PA R K 345
Klaserie Private
Nature Reserve
South of Hoedspruit off the R40.
Tel 015 793 3051. Open restricted
access. & fully incl.
Hippos in the natural pool at Sabi Sands Game Reserve ∑ klaseriereserve.co.za
Klaserie encompasses many
Exploring the Private Manyeleti Game Reserve private reserves, extends
Reserves Gate close to Kruger’s Orpen Gate off over 620 sq km (235 sq miles)
Luxury lodges, often recipients the R40. Tel 011 341 0282. and borders on the Kruger
of international awards for ser Open restricted access. National Park, as
vice excellence, offer exclusive & fully incl. well as on the
“bush experiences” to small ∑ manyeleti.co.za Olifants River. The
groups of visitors. Emphasis is This reserve Klaserie River
placed on personal attention; adjoins the Orpen meanders
experienced rangers guide area of the across the
visitors on night drives and Kruger National semiarid
interesting bush walks. Park, known for bushveld and
its varied wildlife. is the reserve’s
Sabi Sands Game Reserve Visitors can stay in central focus
Shaws and Newington gates off the the comfortable as many
R536; Gowrie Gate off the R40. tented Honeyguide animals and
Tel 013 735 5102. Open restricted Camp, the luxurious birds gather
access. & 0 fully incl. Khoka Moya chalets Tourists on a game drive on its banks to drink.
∑ sabi-sands.com and other lodges. Klaserie as yet has
This famous reserve is made up only three bush camps. They
of a block of contiguous reserves Timbavati Game Reserve are not in the top end of the
north of the Sabie River, which South of Hoedspruit off the R40. Tel luxury category, so will appeal
include the Lion Sands, 015 793 2436. Open restricted access. to those who want a more
Londolozi, Mala Mala, Singita and & fully incl. ∑ timbavati.co.za rustic experience.
Ulusaba private game reserves,
and shares a 50km (31mile)
boundary with Kruger National
Park. There are no fewer than 30
allinclusive luxury lodges and
camps in Sabi Sands and entry is
only to overnight visitors. Thanks
to the Sand and Sabie rivers, the
area has a rich water supply,
which results in a lush environ
ment that animals enjoy all year
round. Sightings of the Big Five
are virtually guaranteed, and
hyenas, cheetahs and wild dogs
may also be seen. A luxurious lounge at Mala Mala Lodge, within Sabi Sands Game Reserve
www.ebook3000.com
346 GAUTENG, LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
e Swaziland
The kingdom of Swaziland achieved its independence from Johannesburg
SWAZILAND
Britain on 6 September 1968. King Mswati III has ruled the
almost one million Swazis since 1986. In the west of the
country, the highlands offer many opportunities for hikers. Cape Town
The middleveld has the perfect growing conditions for
tropical fruit and is known for its arts and crafts. In the east,
lush sugar cane plantations contrast with the dense brown
bushveld of game reserves and ranches.
Ko
Hartbeeskop Malolotja
m
at
Nature Reserve
i
Ngwenya
J
Waverley Ngwenya
Mine Forbes Reef
Motjane
J
MBABANE
Sandlane
Lu
sut
fu
Mhlambanyatsi
Bhunya Ezulwini
J
Mlilwane Wildlife Lobamba
Sanctuary
Mbabane
Swaziland’s capital city
developed around the site Mankayane Loyengo
Manzini
where Michael Wells opened a
pub and trading post at a river
crossing in 1888. Today, trade MANZINI
Sicunusa Ng
is brisk at the Swazi Market. Piet Retief we
mp
isi
Sidvokodvo
Gege
Lu
su
tfu
Mahamba
Hlathikulu Kubutsa Sibowe
Nhlangano
Sithola
SHISELWENI
Maloma
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mlilwane, which supports white rhino, Mhlosheni
giraffe, zebra and antelope, covers
45 sq km (17 sq miles). The rest camp’s Hippo Hluthi
Haunt restaurant overlooks a hippo pool. Ngw
avu
ma
Nsoko
Salitje
KEY
Mpaka
Mb
Mhlumeni
ulu
zi
Mkhaya
Nature Reserve
Mayaluka
Lu
Big Bend
Lu
su
fu
0 kilometres 20
0 miles 10
. Hlane Royal National Park
Key
Hlane and the adjacent Mlawula
Reserve protect 370 sq km (143 sq
International boundary miles) of dense woodland and the
Provincial boundary Lubombo Mountains. Elephant, lion,
Major route
white rhino, various antelopes, hippo
and giraffe can be seen, and it is also
Road (tarred) home to abundant bird life. Guided
Road (untarred) walking safaris can be arranged.
For additional keys to symbols see back flap
www.ebook3000.com
THE ARID
INTERIOR
Introducing the
Arid Interior 350–355
South of the Orange 356–367
North of the Orange 368–377
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350 THE ARID INTERIOR
Orange
Pofadder
Kenhardt
Prieska
Verneuk Pan
SOUTH OF
THE ORANGE
(See pp356–67)
Calvinia
Fish
Beaufort
West
Sutherland
Kuruman
Bloemhof
NORTH OF l
a
THE ORANGE Va
(See pp368–77)
Kimberley
Campbell
Bloemfontein
The Gariep Dam is the largest water
storage reservoir in South Africa and has
Or
an become a popular weekend resort.
ge
Britstown
De Aar
Colesberg
Middelburg
Nieu Bethesda
Nieu-Bethesda’s quaint Dutch Reformed Church was
completed in 1905. The main attraction of this little Karoo
Graaff-Reinet Cradock town, however, is the bizarre Owl House.
Su n
da y
Somerset
s
0 miles 50
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352 THE ARID INTERIOR
Bat-eared foxes’
large ears allow them
to detect under-
Kalahari lions are unique to the Kgalagadi ground prey, such as
Transfrontier Park, and have learned to depend harvester termites
on smaller prey, taking porcupines and and beetle larvae, in
bat-eared foxes when antelopes migrate. the barren areas.
The San
These nomads, once known as Bushmen,
have all but vanished from the subcontinent.
A small community lives on land south of the
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park allocated to them
in 1997. The modern age has severely affected
their culture. Even in the remote reaches of
Botswana, clans now live in settlements around
waterholes – the nomadic lifestyle replaced by
a sedentary existence. Before these camps were
established, water and food were obtained from
the bush: the San knew of 20 edible insects and
180 plants, roots and tubers.
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354 THE ARID INTERIOR
reaching the few major rivers. Also known in parts of South Springbok
Africa as the Gariep River, the mighty Orange and its tributaries
drain 47 per cent of the country. For much of the 2,450-km Cape Town
Rosh
Pinah
Restricted
|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld
Access
Transfrontier Park
Ha
i
b
Khubus Dabenoris
Noordoewer Goodhouse
Vioolsdrif
Oranjemund
Alexander Bay
k
Bra
Springbok
0 miles 25
Vryburg
Spitskop
Upington
Lutzputs
Ariamsvlei Louisvale
Gaiab
Kanoneiland Kimberley
Keimoes
Augrabies Falls
Augrabies Falls National Park
Kakamas
Onseepkans
Pella
Pofadder
Key
Major route
Road (tarred)
Road (untarred)
International boundary
Pella Mission, with its rows of date palms and the tall
spire of its Catholic church, exudes a distinctly Mexican
ambience. The church was built by two missionaries
whose only building manual was an encyclopedia.
www.ebook3000.com
THE ARID INTERIOR 357
The indigenous Khoi called the region it became an important centre for
Karoo (“land of great thirst”) and the the surrounding community of sheep
Dutch colonists of the 17th century were farmers. Today, it has the highest number
hesitant to venture into this forbidding of national monuments in South Africa
terrain. Ensign Schrijver was the first and is renowned for its Cape Dutch
European to explore the eastern reaches architecture. Elsewhere, the typical Karoo
of the Karoo in 1689, and by 1795 the vernacular includes steep-roofed
Cape Colony had expanded to include the sandstone farmhouses surrounded by
southern and eastern Karoo regions. The broad verandahs and delicate latticework.
vast plains were partitioned into sheep The Camdeboo National Park surrounds
ranches, and large migrating herds of Graaff-Reinet on three sides, while the
springbok, hartebeest, black wildebeest, Karoo National Park lies just north of
eland and quagga were decimated Beaufort West. The Mountain Zebra
through uncontrolled hunting. Some National Park, near Cradock, is credited
80 years later, the quagga was extinct, with saving the Cape mountain zebra
and the large herds of Cape mountain from extinction. In the eastern Karoo,
zebra and black wildebeest had been South Africa’s largest storage reservoir,
reduced to tiny remnant populations. the Gariep Dam on the Orange River,
With the expanding frontier, several new provides water to the drought-prone
towns were established. Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, and has developed into a
founded in 1786, prospered quickly as relaxing and remote lakeside resort.
A fiery show of low-growing vygies, drought-resistant plants that flower only after it has rained
The spectacular Swartberg Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
www.ebook3000.com
358 THE ARID INTERIOR
Or
an Upington
ge
Wegdraai
Bladgrond Kleinbegin
Nabies
Goodhouse Pella Ha Koegrabie
rte
bee
Pofadder Putsonderwater
t
Sou
st
Kenhardt Marydale
Bossiekom
Bloemhoek
Fransenhof
Prieska
Springbok Uitkyk
Diemansputs
Kareeboskolk Verneuk Pan Copperton
Grootvloer
Gamoep
Granaatboskolk Zwartkop
Onderstedorings
Van Wyksvlei
Platbakkies
Brandvlei
Alwynsfontein g
er
NORTHERN CAPE ra
sb
G
Sakrivier
Carnarvon
Loeriesfontein
Tontelbos
Sak
Pampoenpoort
Kootjieskolk Sterling
Sights at a Glance
Williston
1673m Loxton
1 Karoo National Park
o
2 Graaff-Reinet pp362–3 Calvinia
ro
Fish
Clanwilliam Ka
3 Camdeboo National Park t Saaifontein
Bloukrans Pass Grea
4 Nieu Bethesda
Rie Fraserburg
R
Middelpos t
gg
Die Bos
6 Cradock KAROO
ev
NATIONAL PARK
el
rge
8 Hogsback be
er
Tweefontein e ld
ge
Komsb
nk
w
CAPE
a erg
Koringplaas
Cape Town
Oudtshoorn
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25
Getting Around
The N1 national route that links Cape Town and
Johannesburg passes right through Beaufort West.
The N9, which connects Graaff-Reinet to the
Southern Cape coast, branches off the N1 at
Colesberg. Cradock and the nearby Mountain
Zebra National Park to the west of the town are
located on the N10. Tarred provincial roads connect
most of the smaller villages, allowing visitors to
explore the more remote parts of the region.
Although distances are great, the volume of traffic
is moderate and many of the Karoo towns have
Ostrich in the Mountain Zebra National Park comfortable bed and breakfast establishments and
restaurants. The long-distance bus companies stop
in Beaufort West, Graaff-Reinet and Cradock.
Kimberley
Or
an
ge
Strydenburg
Kraankuil
oe
n De Aar GARIEP DAM
Gr
Dieput Burgervilleweg Colesberg Oviston
Key
Deelfontein Main road
Hanover
Noupoort
Minor road
Merriman Steynsburg Untarred road
On Carlton
ge Scenic route
Victoria r s Richmond Middelburg
West Main railway
Heydon Tafelberg
Minor railway
euberg
Three Sne Teviot International border
Sisters NIEU Lootsberg
Pass Visrivier Provincial border
Murraysburg BETHESDA
Restvale Summit
Ba
nk CRADOCK
be Pass
GRAAFF-REINET rg MOUNTAIN
Ka
Sout
ZEBRA
rieg
Rietbron Middleton
eF
Town
Bridge Fort Brown
Klipfontein Riebeek
George Oos
Port Elizabeth
Grahamstown
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362 THE ARID INTERIOR
2Street-by-Street:
Graaff-Reinet
In 1786, a landdrost (magistrate) was appointed by the Dutch East
India Company to enforce Dutch law and administration along
the remote eastern Karoo frontier. The settlement that grew up
around the magistrate’s court was named after Governor Cornelis
Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Hester Cornelia Reinet. Nine years The War Memorial
later, the citizens of Graaff-Reinet expelled the landdrost and The memorial honours the
declared the first Boer Republic in South Africa. fallen of both World Wars.
Within a matter of a few months, however, Spandau
colonial control was re-established. E T Kop
RE
Huguenot ST T
Monument RK EE
PA R
ST
H
RT
Town Hall O
N
Valley of
Desolation ET
RE
ST
N
E DO
C AL
CR
types of local stone.
O
SS
ST
RE
CH
ET
UR
CH
ST
RE
ET
ET
T RE
S
T
The South African War Memorial SE
This monument, unveiled in 1908, ER
M
commemorates the efforts of Boer SO
soldiers against the British troops.
ET
RE
ST
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST T
EN
M
Key IA
Practical Information
A RL
Road map C4. * 35,000 Suggested route P
T
n Church St, 049 892 4248. UR
∑ graaffreinet.co.za CO
’S
Reinet House: Tel 049 892 3801. CH
R ET
Open 8am–5pm Mon–Fri, 9am– ST
noon Sat & Sun. & =
∑ graaffreinetmuseums.co.za
Transport
~ Port Elizabeth, 236 km
. Stretch’s Court
(147 miles) SE. @ Engen petrol These cottages were built
station, Church St. in the 1850s to house
labourers and freed slaves.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p391 and p411
SOUTH OF THE ORANGE 363
Exploring Graaff-Reinet
Graaff-Reinet lies in a valley
eroded by the Sundays River.
The gardens and tree-lined
avenues form a striking contrast
to the bleak expanse of the sur-
rounding Karoo. Many of the
0 metres 100
town’s historic buildings have
0 yards 100 been painstakingly restored, and
Spandau Kop looms over the town over 200 are national monu-
ments. The main architectural
attractions lie between Bourke
and Murray streets.
∑ graaffreinetmuseums.co.za
ET
www.ebook3000.com
364 THE ARID INTERIOR
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p391 and p411
SOUTH OF THE ORANGE 365
Cottages with striped awnings and painted stoeps (verandahs) line the streets of Cradock
At the beginning of the 19th century, the The discovery of diamonds in 1866
uncharted Northern Cape was home to transformed South Africa’s economy.
the last nomadic hunter-gatherers, the At the town of Kimberley, countless
San. In 1820, Robert and Mary Moffat built fortune-seekers carved out the Big Hole,
a mission and school in Kuruman, 263 km an enormous crater that had yielded a
(163 miles) northeast of Upington, and total of 2,722 kg (5,988 lb) of diamonds
devoted 50 years to translating and by the time work stopped in 1914.
printing the Bible in the Setswana language. Further west along the Orange River, a
The journeys of exploration undertaken by local Griqua leader invited early missionary
their son-in-law, David Livingstone, Reverend Christiaan Schröder to establish
focused European attention on Africa. a mission station on the banks of the river,
In the Cape Colony, Afrikaner farmers and the town of Upington was founded.
became increasingly discontented with Irrigation canals soon transformed the
the British administration. Many trekked desert into a fertile crescent of vineyards,
north in search of new land. In 1836, a orchards, wheat and lucerne fields.
group of Voortrekkers (see pp54–5) Although mining is still the main
crossed the Orange River and settled contributor to the region’s economy, today
near Thaba Nchu, east of present-day visitors are enticed by the area’s history,
Bloemfontein, where they established desert scenery and diverse wildlife, such
an independent republic, the Orange as various raptor species and the unique
Free State, in 1854. Kalahari lion.
Vorstershoop
Historic Bloemfontein, once the
A D PA
Mata Senlac
Mata capital of a Boer republic named
I
Nossob
Tosca
Orange Free State, has many
Morokweng
RK
NORTH
Twee
Rivieren
Severn Ganyesa
Aansluit
Rietfontein
Van Zylsrus
Ku
Andriesvale an
r
ru m
um
Askham Ku
an
Sonstraal
Ontmoeting
TSWALU KALAHARI Hotazel
Lykso
Koopan-Suid RESERVE
erg
Sutton
ab
Kuruman Wesselsvlei
nn
Noenieput
Kora
NORTHERN
Ku r u
Wincanton Reivilo
Bekker
CAPE
man
Harrisdale
Vroeggedeel Lohatlha
s
Gelukspruit Daniëlskuil
Langklip Owendale
Postmasburg
AUGRABIES Karos Ulco
rge
Lime
FALLS UPINGTON Acres Papkuil
ebe
Grootdrink
Louisvale 1,615m
ng
Augrabies Alheit
Keimoes
La
Campbell
Griekwastad
Springbok Groblershoop
al
Volop Va
Or
Douglas
an
ge
Niekerkshoop
Salt
Westerberg Higg's Lake
Hope
Prieska Beaufort
West
Beaufort
West
Sights at a Glance
1 Upington
2 Augrabies Falls National Park
3 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
4 Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
5 Kimberley
Devil’s claw plant, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 6 Bloemfontein
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p391 and p411
NORTH OF THE ORANGE 371
Key
Major road
Minor road
Untarred road
Scenic route
Main railway
Minor railway
International border
Provincial border
Summit
Gemsbokvlakte
The Big Hole in Kimberley, begun in the 1870s
Piet Plessis
WE ST Getting Around
Most of the towns north of the Orange River lie
Stella Pretoria
more than 200 km (125 miles) apart, and there are few
Broedersput petrol stations or refreshment stops along the way. But
as the volume of traffic is low and all the main roads are
Migdol
Vryburg tarred, travel in this region need not be arduous. The
R360 runs north from Upington to the Kgalagadi
Schweizer-Reneke
Johannesburg Transfrontier Park. Although the roads in the park are
Amalia sandy, 4WD vehicles are not required. National roads
link the major regional centres to Johannesburg and
Pudimoe Avondster to the Western and Eastern capes. The east-west N8
Kingswood
connects Upington, Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
Bloemhof
Harts
F R E E S TA T E
Barkly West Boshof Kroonstad
Dealesville
Brandfort
KIMBERLEY
Florisbad
Wolwespruit
Modd Soetdoring Nature Reserve
Modderrivier er
Petrusburg
Jacobsdal
BLOEMFONTEIN
De Brug
Riet Ferreira
Graspan Maseru
Koffiefontein t
Rie
Rooipan Kalkfontein Dam
Nature Reserve Dewetsdorp
Luckhof Reddersburg
Orania
Fauresmith Edenburg
Philippolis
O
r
an
Donkerpoort
ge
Graaff-Reinet
Sunflowers constitute one of the Free
State’s major crops
For keys to symbols see back flap
www.ebook3000.com
372 THE ARID INTERIOR
2 Augrabies Falls
National Park
Road map B3. 100 km (62 miles) W
of Upington. Tel 054 452 9200;
reservations: 012 428 9111.
Open 7am–6:30pm daily. & }
Ó S 0 ∑ sanparks.org
3 Kgalagadi Trans
frontier Park
Road map B2. 280 km (174 miles)
N of Upington. n 054 561 2000.
Tel Reservations: 012 428 9111.
Open daily; hours vary. & } Ó
= ∑ sanparks.org
An immense wilderness of
grass-covered dunes traversed
by two dry, ancient riverbeds,
this national park is Africa’s
largest and extends 34,390 sq
km (13,278 sq miles) across
territory almost twice the size Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
of the Kruger National Park.
Jointly managed by South 4 Tswalu Kalahari farmsteads. Approximately
Africa and Botswana, the
border within the park is
Reserve 7,000 cattle were sold off
and the reserve was fenced.
unfenced and the wildlife is Road map C2. 115 km (71 miles) NW Boler invested over R54
free to migrate. of Kuruman. n 053 781 9311. & million to develop the reserve.
∑ tswalu.com
From Upington the tarred A total of 4,700 animals,
R360 cuts a course across a An ambitious project without representing 22 species, have
landscape that seems devoid of equal, Tswalu is South Africa’s been reintroduced, including
human habitation. The tar road largest private reserve. It lion, cheetah, buffalo, three
ends near Andriesvale and a protects around 750 sq km types of zebra, red hartebeest,
sandy track hugs the border (285 sq miles) of red Kalahari blue and black wildebeest,
fence for 58 km (36 miles) dunes and the picturesque giraffe, gemsbok, kudu,
before Korannaberg impala and wild dog.
reaching the mountains. The But the jewels in Tswalu’s
southern reserve came crown are, without doubt,
entrance. A into existence the small number of desert
dusty camp site is through the black rhino (subspecies
situated near the gate, tireless efforts Diceros bicornis bicornis)
while the nearby camp of of British relocated with the permission
Twee Rivieren offers businessman of the Namibian government.
chalets, a restaurant and Buffalo bull Stephen Boler. The reserve is now owned
a swimming pool. From First, he bought and by the Oppenheimer family
Twee Rivieren, two roads follow amalgamated 26 cattle farms. (of gold and diamond
the dry courses of the Auob Work teams then removed mining fame).
and Nossob rivers on their way some 800 km (500 miles) of Tswalu’s two luxury, all-
to the camps of Mata Mata and fencing, as well as 2,300 km inclusive lodges have their
Nossob. There are four lovely (1,440 miles) of electric lines, own airstrip, and most visitors
picnic spots along the Nossob. 38 concrete dams and the arrive by charter plane.
To cross over to Namibia at
Mata Mata, visitors must stay in
the park for at least two nights. Sir Laurens van der Post (1906–96)
Although Twee Rivieren
Soldier, writer, philosopher, dreamer and explorer, Laurens van
is situated in the most arid der Post was the son of an Afrikaner mother and a Dutch father.
region of the park, wildlife is During World War II he obtained the rank of colonel and was a
surprisingly plentiful, with an prisoner of the Japanese in Java until 1945. Upon his return to
astonishing 19 species of South Africa, he began his journeys into
carnivore present, including the wilderness. A fascinating account of
the black-maned Kalahari his expedition in search of the San
lion, cheetah, brown hyena, people of the Kalahari was published
wild cat and honey badger. in 1958. The Lost World of the Kalahari
Several species of raptor – was one of the first books to detail this
including martial, tawny and intriguing and highly spiritual culture. A
bateleur eagles, as well as the personal friend of the British Royal Family,
pale chanting goshawk – are van der Post is remembered for his
also commonly sighted. insightful, philosophical writings, most of
A total of 40 windmills have which deal with the moral and social
been erected in the riverbeds, issues of his time. Sir Laurens van der Post
providing water for wildlife.
www.ebook3000.com
374 THE ARID INTERIOR
The first Diamond Rush in the Kimberley district took place in Practical Information
1869 when diamonds were found in the walls of a house on Road map D3. * 225,500.
n Jan Smuts Blvd, 053 830 6911.
the Bultfontein farm. In July 1871, prospectors camped at the ∑ solplaatje.org.za
base of a small hill, 4.5 km (3 miles) to the northwest. The
Transport
party’s cook was sent to the summit as punishment for a ~ 7 km (4 miles) S of town.
minor offence and returned with a diamond. Within two £ Old de Beers Rd. @ Shell
years, New Rush tent town, renamed Kimberley in 1873, had Ultra City.
become home to 50,000 miners. By the time Cecil John
Rhodes (see p56) arrived, 3,600 claims were being worked.
Oppenheimer, the German-
born diamond buyer who in
1917 founded the giant Anglo
American Corporation.
E William Humphreys
Art Gallery
Cullinan Crescent, Civic Centre.
Tel 053 831 1724. Open 8am–
4:45pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4:45pm
Sat, 9am–11:45pm Sun.
& 7 0 ∑ whag.co.za
This gallery houses a superb
A re-created street scene at The Big Hole: Kimberley Mine Museum collection of paintings by
European masters and South
Exploring Kimberley original fittings. The 90-m (295-ft) African artists.
The angular street pattern of viewing platform over the Big
Kimberley is in contrast with the Hole allows visitors to look into E McGregor Museum
neat grid pattern characteristic the murky lake below, and there S Atlas Rd, Belgravia. Tel 053 839
of other South African cities, a is a mock-up of a mine shaft, too. 2717. Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat,
legacy of its formative, tent- The Real Diamond Display holds 2–5pm Sun. & 7 8 - =
town years. Although reminders replicas of uncut stones. ∑ museumsnc.co.za
of the past are not always Cecil John Rhodes stayed in
apparent, Kimberley has several P Kimberley Club this building during the South
interesting historic landmarks 70–72 Du Toitspan Rd. African War. It now houses a
that are well worth visiting. Tel 053 832 4224. Open daily. 7 museum of natural and cultural
∑ kimberleyclub.co.za history, with ethnological and
P The Big Hole: Kimberley Dating from 1896, this luxurious archaeological displays, as well
Mine Museum club was the meeting place of as rock paintings.
West Circular Rd. Tel 053 839 4600. the mining magnates and saw
Open 8am–5pm daily. & 7 8 0 much wheeling and dealing. E Duggan-Cronin Gallery
= ∑ thebighole.co.za The club also has a boutique Egerton Rd. Tel 053 839 2700.
Centred around the Big Hole, hotel and conference facilities. Open 9am–4pm Mon–Fri.
this museum tells South Africa’s The gallery contains 8,000
diamond-mining history through Y Oppenheimer Memorial photographs of anthropological
several elements. The Old Mining Gardens interest taken over 20 years by
Village consists of cobbled streets Jan Smuts Blvd. Alfred Duggan-Cronin, who,
lined with buildings dating to In the gardens, five bronze arriving in Kimberley in 1897,
the late 19th century, including miners surround the Digger’s became deeply interested in
a watchmaker’s shop, a Fountain. A marble colonnade the indigenous people of the
pawnbroker’s and an old bar with contains a bust of Sir Ernest Northern Cape.
www.ebook3000.com
376 THE ARID INTERIOR
R Tweetoringkerk
Charles St. Tel 051 430 4274.
Dedicated in 1881, the Dutch
Reformed Tweetoringkerk (twin-
spired church) is unique in the
country. It was inspired by
Europe’s Gothic cathedrals and
designed by Richard Wocke. The
interior, too, is Gothic. Especially
noteworthy is the woodwork
around the pulpit and organ.
The Appeal Court building, Bloemfontein
E National Women’s
Exploring Bloemfontein street, complete with a Memorial and Anglo-Boer
Although Major Warden’s fort cluttered general dealer’s store. War Museum
has long disappeared, a portion Monument Rd. Tel 051 447 3447.
of Queen’s Fort, dating back to E National Museum for Open 8am–4:30pm Mon–Fri,
1848, can still be seen south of Afrikaans Literature 10am–5pm Sat, 11am–5pm Sun.
the city centre. Cnr President Brand & Maitland sts. & 7 ∑ wmbr.org.za
President Brand Street is lined Tel 051 405 4711. South of the city, this site com-
with many fine old sandstone Open 8am–4pm Mon–Fri, memorates the countless Boer
buildings, such as the Appeal 9am–noon Sat. and black African women and
Court, built in 1929, Near the Appeal children who died in British
opposite the Fourth Court, this museum is concentration camps during
Raadsaal, which now devoted to leading the South African War.
houses the Free State’s Afrikaans writers, Emily Hobhouse, a British
provincial legislature. even those who, like woman who campaigned
This brick-and- André Brink (see p33), for better treatment of the
sandstone building opposed apartheid. prisoners, is buried at the foot
was constructed of the monument.
around 1893, during P Old Presidency
the presidency of President Brand St.
Frederick Reitz. Tel 051 448 0949.
Detail of the National Open 8am–3:30pm
E The National Women’s Memorial Mon–Fri. -
Museum Three blocks south
36 Aliwal St. Tel 051 447 9609. from the Literature Museum,
Open 8am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm on the site once occupied
Sat, noon–5:30pm Sun & pub hols. 7 by the homestead of Major
& - = ∑ nasmus.co.za Warden’s farm, stands the
This museum contains a good Old Presidency, an attractive
collection of dinosaur fossils, building completed in 1861.
and a reconstruction of a typical It was the home of the Abstract painting by Cecil Skotnes,
19th-century Bloemfontein republic’s Afrikaner presidents Oliewenhuis Art Museum
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p391 and p411
NORTH OF THE ORANGE 377
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map D3. * 747,500.
n Bloemfontein Tourist Centre,
60 Park Rd. 051 405 8489.
Open 8am–4pm Mon–Fri, 8am–
noon Sat. _ Bloem Show (Apr–
May); Rose Festival (Oct).
Exterior of the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein
∑ mangaung.co.za
BA Art Museum
EED
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www.ebook3000.com
380 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
WHERE TO STAY
The slow journeys of earlier centuries, when the Lost City at Sun City (see pp328–9) and the
the vast distances between settlements had elegant colonial hotel, Mount Nelson in Cape
to be covered on horseback or by ox wagon, Town (see p384), offer every conceivable
led to a proud local tradition of hospitality. luxury, and bear comparison with the best in
In South Africa, “hospitality” is more than a the world. Charming alternatives are the
catchword, and establishments, from the guesthouses found in small towns, where
largest hotel chain to the smallest bed and tranquillity and hearty, home-cooked fare are
breakfast, do their utmost to make the valued far more than modern convenience.
modern traveller feel welcome. The wide Safari lodges provide an idyllic and expensive
range of accommodation available is a Africa experience, while camp sites and
reflection of the diversity of the country itself. backpacker hostels offer basic amenities and
A fantasy resort hotel such as the Palace of cater for younger visitors on limited budgets.
Where to Look signposted) or contact one of the school holidays), but do ask your
Visitors touring South Africa by many umbrella associations such travel agent about any special
car may be worried by the as the Tourism Grading Council offers made by hotel groups, or
distances that separate cities of South Africa, or country-wide contact the hotel directly.
and towns. Fortunately, hotels, agencies such as AA Travel
bed and breakfasts, and self- Accommodation (see p383).
catering cottages are found in Hotel Grading
even the remotest towns. South African hotels are
South Africa’s cities offer a Hotel Prices classified by organizations such
great variety of places to stay, Prices quoted tend to be per as Satour, the national tourism
whether you want family, luxury person sharing, though the authority, and the Tourism
or business accommodation. larger chains quote prices per Grading Council of South Africa.
Well-visited country and resort room. There might be a single Satour divides hotels into
areas also offer accommodation supplement for solo travellers. 5 categories, indicated by a
to suit every taste and budget: Taxes are included in the rates. plaque carrying from 1 to
many game parks, for example, Where rates are stated as 5 stars. A typical 5-star hotel is
have luxurious lodges as well as including “dinner, bed and luxurious, offering suites as well
basic self-catering chalets and breakfast” or “bed and breakfast”, as rooms, and a wide range of
camp sites, while most coastal you are likely, unless you come services such as hairdressing,
resorts offer hotels, camp sites, to some agreement when dry-cleaning and room service.
holiday apartments and guest- booking, to be charged for In a country town, a 1-star hotel
houses. If you are seeking quiet these meals whether or not you may prove comfortable and
surroundings, try the smaller, take them. Notify the hosts in entirely satisfactory, while in a
simpler hostelries found inland, advance, too, if you have any city it may be little more than a
or hotels on the coast that are set special dietary requirements. noisy local rendezvous spot.
away from obvious attractions. Prices vary slightly outside Many charming hotels have low
Enquire at the local tourist high season (Nov–Feb, Easter ratings, and some hotels with
information office (usually well weekend and the mid-year higher ratings – although they
boast more than the required
minimum of facilities and
service – turn out to be
impersonal business warrens.
Facilities
Facilities vary according to
location and grading. Parking is
usually available, but not always
under cover or supervised by a
guard. Some hotels offer a car-
wash, and may have chauffeur-
driven vehicles for local transfers.
Most hotels provide telephone
and TV (with satellite channels)
in rooms; there is almost always
Luxury bush accommodation at Singita Boulders Lodge, Sabi Sands Reserve (p391) a TV in the guests’ lounge, too.
Colourful baskets woven from plastic-coated wire on a market stall
W H E R E TO S TAY 381
Ellerman House in Cape Town, ranked among the world’s finest boutique hotels (p384) Self-Catering
The choice in style and price of
Internet access is available at Children self-catering accommodation in
almost all accommodation, Many venues are very family- South Africa is vast. Cottages
unless it is especially remote. friendly, while some upmarket may be referred to as chalets,
At the very least, a computer is hotels, guesthouses and safari bungalows or rondavels (if they
provided, on which guests can lodges do not accept children are round and grass-thatched).
check emails, but most establish- under the age of 10. Where Many of the game parks have
ments have Wi-Fi, either compli- children are accepted, families luxurious, East African-style
mentary or available with a may be able to share a room at safari tents with private outdoor
voucher bought from reception. little extra cost, if tariffs are per kitchens, while farm-style
Air-conditioning or at least a room not per person, and some cottages in the vast Karoo (see
fan is fairly standard, but central hotels have adjoining rooms. pp360–61) feature large indoor
heating in winter is not the hearths to fend off the bitter
norm, although most places do cold on winter nights. Municipal
provide portable heaters and Booking chalets in caravan parks may
extra blankets. Many self- If possible, confirm a reservation offer only the mere basics, while
catering cottages, especially on online or by email. It is normal cottages on Cape wine estates
farms, have indoor fireplaces. for establishments to ask for (see pp196–209), for example,
As well as restaurants, large debit or credit card details in may even have satellite TV and
hotels and safari lodges have advance; in the event that you Wi-Fi. The larger resorts and
full bars. At smaller guesthouses cancel your booking at short game reserves will usually have
and B&Bs there may be an notice or are a no-show, an a selection of chalets. These may
unstaffed “honesty bar” with amount agreed in the booking be self-contained units or have
cold beers, wine, soft drinks and terms will be deducted. The shared kitchen, laundry and
mineral water. Hotels usually hotel is legally obliged to bathroom facilities. They are
have a locked, secure safe where inform you if there has been a usually well-equipped,
guests can deposit valuables. tariff increase since you made comfortably furnished and
In country towns, the hotel your booking. include towels and bedding,
frontage may be on the main Even if you have reserved a although it is always advisable
street making the noise level specific room, ask to see it to check this beforehand.
uncomfortable. Before asking to before you sign the register. Upon arrival, a member of
be moved to a room at the back, And if you require special staff may check to ensure that
however, check that there are all the items on the inventory
no large hidden cooling units, are supplied and intact. You
as those are likely to disturb could also be asked to pay a
your sleep even more. small deposit (refundable at the
end of your stay) to cover
potential loss or breakage.
Hotel Groups It is advisable to approach
Many of the better-class hotels individual tourist information
are controlled by one of the offices of towns or regions for
national hotel chains such as the addresses and contact
City Lodge, Sun International, numbers of self-catering
Tsogo Sun or Protea (see p383). cottages. Self-Catering
These maintain good standards Accommodation of South
across their properties and may Africa is the national assoc-
offer incentives or package iation of self-catering establish-
deals that include lower family Mountain views at the Cape Town Hollow ments, which also operates a
rates or out-of-season tariffs. hotel, in the city’s Gardens district (p384) grading system like hotels.
www.ebook3000.com
382 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
Guesthouses and
B&Bs
Accommodation in small
guesthouses and B&Bs, which
are often private homes, has
become very popular,
especially along the Garden
Route and in bigger cities such
as Cape Town, Port Elizabeth
and Johannesburg. Some are
simple, practical overnight
rooms, while at the more African art and artifacts in a contemporary settting at Derwent House, Cape Town (p384)
luxurious end, rooms may be in
historic buildings or particularly in the cities and along the game-viewing activities such
scenic locations. The hosts, who coast. For more details, it is as drives or walks. Guests tend
concentrate on a small number worth acquiring a copy of the to stay at least two nights to
of guests staying only a night or accommodation guidebook appreciate the experience.
two, take pride in being able to published by Coast to Coast.
provide personal attention. This is available for free from
Breakfast is almost always hostels and the listings are on National Park and Game
included and, in some places, the website. No age limit is Reserve Accommodation
evening meals can be prepared imposed on guests, but a laid- Rest camps are the less
if you make prior arrangements. back attitude is required. expensive alternative to
For listings look at the web- Most hostels offer dorm beds luxurious safari lodges and are
sites of the national association in communal rooms, as well as found in national parks and
of guesthouses, Guest House private accommodation with provincial game reserves (see
Accommodation of South either shared or private pp66–71). Most of them offer a
Africa (GHASA), or the bathrooms, and some have variety of facilities such as
Portfolio Collection. space to pitch a tent in their swimming pools and shops
garden. Other facilities usually selling basic provisions and
include a self-catering kitchen, firewood, and some may have
City Hotels TV lounge, Internet access and an additional restaurant and
There is an excellent choice of swimming pool. petrol pump.
hotels in South Africa’s cities. Accommodation is nearly
While B&Bs and guesthouses always self-catering and options
often offer a personal Safari Lodges range from small rondavels
experience, larger city hotels The safari lodges in most sleeping two people, to chalets
tend to provide a more private reserves (see pp66–71) and bungalows sleeping six or
anonymous environment cater for affluent visitors. They more. At reception in the larger
but more facilities, such as a typically offer excellent cuisine, rest camps, like those in the
restaurant and bar on site and luxurious pseudo-rustic Kruger National Park, it is also
often a swimming pool and spa, accommodation, highly skilled possible to arrange guided
and long reception hours. staff and game rangers who game drives and walks.
ensure that guests see as much Accommodation in national
of the African wildlife as parks across the country is
Budget Accommodation possible. Rates are typically booked through South African
There are many private high, but they are inclusive of National Parks (SANParks),
backpackers hostels, especially all meals, most drinks and while in the Western Cape the
smaller nature and game
reserves are managed by Cape
Nature and those in KwaZulu-
Natal by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Under Canvas
Camp sites can be found
throughout South Africa, and
camping equipment can be
bought or hired locally. Many
sites are run as part of a local
caravan park, or a beachside or
mountain resort, and all the
national parks, game and nature
Villa Lobengula, a luxury safari lodge in the Shamwari Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth (p388) reserves have them. Communal
W H E R E TO S TAY 383
DIRECTORY
Hotel Groups Self-Catering SANParks Coast to Coast
Booking Offices Accommodation Tel 012 428 9111. ∑ coasttocoast.co.za
∑ sanparks.org Tourism Grading
City Lodge Self-Catering
Council of South
Accommodation of Guesthouses
Tel 011 557 2600 or Africa
South Africa and B&Bs
0800 113 790. Tel 011 895 3013.
Tel 021 762 0880. ∑ tourismgrading.
∑ clhg.com Guest House
∑ selfcateringsouth co.za
africa.com Accommodation of
Protea Hotels
South Africa
Tel 021 430 5300 or
National Parks Tel 021 762 0880.
0861 119 000. ∑ ghasa.co.za
and Game
∑ protea.mariott.com
Reserves Portfolio Collection
Sun International Tel 021 250 0015.
Cape Nature
Tel 011 780 7855. ∑ portfoliocollection.
Tel 072 446 9977 or com
∑ suninternational.
082 869 0433.
com ∑ capenature.co.za General
Tsogo Sun Hotels Ezemvelo KZN AA Travel
Tel 011 461 9744 or Wildlife Accommodation
0861 447 744. Tel 033 845 1000. Tel 011 799 1400.
∑ tsogosunhotels.com ∑ kznwildlife.com ∑ aatravel.co.za
www.ebook3000.com
384 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
Where to Stay
V&A Waterfront Price Guide
Cape Town Breakwater Lodge RR Prices are based on one night’s stay in
high season for a standard double room,
City hotel Map 2 D4
inclusive of service charges and taxes.
Portswood Rd, 8001
City Bowl Tel 021 430 5300 R up to R1,000
Ashanti Backpackers Gardens R ∑ protea.mariott.com RR R1,000 to R2,000
RRR over R2,000
Hostel Map 5 A3 Right on the waterfront, this
11 Hof St, Gardens, 8001 former 19th-century prison has
Tel 021 423 8721 plenty of character. Hout Bay Manor RRR
∑ ashanti.co.za Historic
Set in a converted mansion with Baviaanskloof, Hout Bay, 7872
gardens, this is a friendly and DK Choice Tel 021 790 0116
secure hostel. Cape Grace RRR ∑ houtbaymanor.com
Luxury Map 2 E4 Built in 1871, this hotel offers
Acorn House RR West Quay Rd, 8001 old-world charm with modern
Guesthouse Map 5 A4 Tel 021 410 7100 facilities. Rooms are luxurious.
1 Montrose Ave, Oranjezich, 8001 ∑ capegrace.com Excellent restaurant and spa.
Tel 021 461 1782 The most luxurious hotel in this
∑ acornhouse.co.za area, Cape Grace has impeccable O on Kloof RRR
This homely B&B is in a National service and stylish decor. After- Boutique Map 3 B2
Monument building. noon tea is served in the library; 92 Kloof Rd, Bantry Bay, 8005
the restaurant is excellent. Tel 021 439 2081
Cape Town Hollow RR ∑ oonkloof.co.za
Boutique Map 5 B2 Beautifully decorated, this villa
88 Queen Victoria St, 8001 Radisson Blu Waterfront RRR has plush rooms. Outside dining
Tel 021 423 1260 Modern Map 2 D3 with sea and mountain views.
∑ seasonsinafrica.com Beach Rd, Granger Bay, 8002
Overlooking the historic Tel 021 441 3000
Company’s Garden, this hotel is ∑ radissonblu.com DK Choice
ideally located for the museums. This well-established hotel has The Twelve Apostles RRR
excellent facilities, an indoor pool Luxury Map 3 B5
Daddy Long Legs RR and a choice of restaurants. Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, 8005
Boutique Map 5 A2 Tel 021 437 9000
134 Long St, 8001 ∑ 12apostleshotel.com
Tel 021 422 3074 Atlantic Seaboard This secluded 5-star retreat has
∑ daddylonglegs.co.za The Villa Rosa RR views over the coastline. The
Each room is decorated by a Guesthouse Map 1 A5 award-winning restaurant
different local artist at this trendy 277 High Level Rd, Sea Point, 8005 serves excellent Cape fusion
hotel in Cape Town’s nightlife hub. Tel 021 434 2768 cuisine. Beautiful spa and gym.
∑ villa-rosa.com
A charming guesthouse with
DK Choice friendly staff. Breakfast is home-
Derwent House RR made muesli and free-range eggs. Green Point
Boutique Map 4 F3 Avatara Guesthouse RR
14 Derwent Rd, 8001 Ellerman House RRR Guesthouse
Tel 021 422 2763 Boutique Map 3 B2 25 Leinster Rd, Green Point, 8051
∑ derwenthouse.co.za 180 Kloof Rd, Bantry Bay, 8005 Tel 021 433 0341
Excellent service and African- Tel 021 430 3200 ∑ avatara.co.za
chic decor feature at this owner- ∑ ellerman.co.za A restored Victorian homestead
managed hotel with 10 rooms in An Edwardian mansion with houses this guesthouse. Breakfast
the hip Tamboerskloof area. The stylish rooms and superb service. is served in a courtyard.
central courtyard has a pool.
Jambo Guesthouse RR
Guesthouse
Mount Nelson Hotel RRR 1 Grove Rd, Green Point, 8051
Historic Map 5 A3 Tel 021 439 4219
76 Orange St, Gardens, 8001 ∑ jambo.co.za
Tel 021 483 1000 Very friendly, personal service, the
∑ belmond.com owners are on hand to help with
A lovely colonial hotel at the base all your needs. Lovely garden.
of Table Mountain, with old-world
charm and all mod cons. Cape Royale Luxury Hotel
& Spa RRR
The Westin Cape Town RRR Luxury Map 1A4
Modern Map 5 A2 47 Main Rd, Green Point, 8051
Lower Long St, 8001 Tel 021 430 0500
Tel 021 412 9999 ∑ caperoyale.co.za
∑ westincapetown.com An ultra-modern hotel with a
Slick, state-of-the-art luxury, well- Ellerman House, a luxury boutique hotel in roof-top pool, Sky Bar and a
appointed rooms and rooftop pool. Cape Town overlooking the ocean superb restaurant.
W H E R E TO S TAY 385
South Peninsula
Kopanong Bed & Breakfast R
B&B
C329 Velani Crescent, Khayelitsha
Township, 7784
Tel 021 361 2084
∑ kopanong-township.co.za
A friendly, family-owned B&B in
the heart of the township.
VELDDRIF: Kersefontein
Guest Farm RR
Guesthouse Road Map A3
Between Hopefield and Velddrif, 7355
Tel 083 454 1025
∑ kersefontein.co.za
At this homely working farm, the
beautiful rooms feature antiques
taken from the farm’s attics.
Dinner is served in the 19th-
century dining room. Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in Stellenbosch, nestled among ancient oak trees
PLETTENBERG BAY: Albergo for WILDERNESS: The Old Trading DUNDEE: Royal Country Inn R
Backpackers R Post RR Historic Road Map E3
Hostel Road Map C5 Guesthouse Road Map C5 61 Victoria St, 3000
8 Church St, 6600 Off N2, 6560 Tel 034 212 2147
Tel 044 533 4434 Tel 044 882 1207 ∑ royalcountryinn.com
∑ albergo.co.za ∑ oldtradingpost.co.za This inn on the battlefields route
Facilities include dorms, individual Plenty of birdlife can be seen has ensuite bedrooms and back-
rooms, a bar, kitchen and TV room. in the garden of this friendly packer lodging. Cosy dining room.
guesthouse on a country road.
PLETTENBERG BAY: Bitou River EAST LONDON: Premier Hotel
Lodge RR WILDERNESS: The Wilderness King David RR
B&B Road Map C5 Hotel RR City hotel Road Map E5
10 km (6 miles) from Plettenberg Bay Country hotel Road Map C5 27 Inverleith Terrace, 5211
on the R340 George Rd, 6560 Tel 043 722 3174
Tel 044 535 9577 Tel 044 877 1110 ∑ premierhotels.co.za
∑ bitou.co.za ∑ thewildernesshotel.co.za Rooms and suites are well-
Every room has direct access to A short walk from the village, this appointed at this central hotel
the well-tended garden at this large hotel has two pools, a near the beaches.
farmhouse-style B&B on the beauty spa and tennis courts.
banks of the Bitou River.
DK Choice
PORT ALFRED: Halyards Hotel MOOI RIVER:
and Spa RR Wild Coast, Hartford House RRR
Modern
Albany Rd, 6170
Road Map D5 Drakensberg and Boutique
Hlatikulu Rd, 3300
Road Map E3
MAGALIESBERG: African
Mpumalanga and R40, Kieperol, 1241
Tel 083 675 1500
Pride Mount Grace Country Kruger ∑ highgrove.co.za
House & Spa RR DULLSTROOM: Walkersons This award-winning colonial-
Country hotel Road Map D2 Hotel & Spa RRR style lodge offers rooms with
Old Rustenburg Rd, 1791 Country hotel Road Map E2 spectacular views, gourmet food
Tel 014 577 5600 Walkersons Private Estate, 1110 and fine wines in a farm setting.
∑ protea.mariott.com Tel 013 253 7000
A countryside hideaway with ∑ walkersons.co.za HOEDSPRUIT:
stone-and-thatch cottages and Each room has a private patio, a Camp Jabulani RRR
great outdoor spa treatments. fireplace and lake views at this Safari lodge Road Map F2
plush lodge in fly-fishing country. Kapama Private Game Reserve,
MAGALIESBERG: Protea Hotel Hoedspruit, 1380
Rustenburg Hunters Rest RR GRASKOP: Graskop Hotel RR Tel 015 793 1265
Resort Road Map D2 Boutique Road Map F2 ∑ campjabulani.com
R24, Rustenburg-Krugersdorp Rd, 0300 3 Main St, 1270 Every modern luxury is offered at
Tel 014 537 8300 Tel 013 767 1244 this upmarket, all-inclusive lodge.
∑ protea.mariott.com ∑ graskophotel.co.za Each suite has an indoor and
An extensive resort with Rooms in this country hotel each outdoor plunge pool.
excellent recreational facilities, feature the work of a contem-
children’s activities and a crèche. porary South African artist.
DK Choice
PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE: THE KRUGER NATIONAL
Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge RRR DK Choice PARK: Camps (various) RR
Safari lodge Road Map D2 HAZYVIEW: Rissington Inn RR Rest camps Road Map F2
Rustenburg, 0300 Country hotel Road Map F2 Box 787, Pretoria, 0001
Tel 014 552 5100 R40, 1242 Tel 012 428 9111
∑ legacyhotels.co.za Tel 013 737 7700 ∑ sanparks.org
A luxurious resort with family- ∑ rissington.co.za A wide variety of good-value
friendly suites and chalets. Each room at this comfortable, accommodation is dotted
simple hotel in a bush setting around the Kruger. Main camps
PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE: very near the Kruger has its have most facilities (swimming
Tshukudu Bush Lodge RRR own entrance and verandah. pools, petrol stations and shops);
Safari lodge Road Map D2 The à la carte restaurant offers small camps offer a quieter
Rustenburg, 0300 good fare, and there’s a lovely bush experience and visitors
Tel 014 552 6255 pool, and a guest library with TV. need to be self-sufficient.
∑ legacyhotels.co.za
Perfect for a romantic getaway,
these chalets have open-plan HAZYVIEW: The Windmill Wine THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK:
rooms, a fireplace and a balcony. Shop & Cottages RR Singita Lebombo Lodge RRR
Self-catering Road Map F2 Safari lodge Road Map F2
PRETORIA: Protea Hotel R536, between Hazyview and Sabie Tel 013 735 5500
Hatfield R Tel 013 737 8175 ∑ singita.com
City hotel Road Map E2 ∑ thewindmill.co.za This dramatic lodge is home to
1141 Burnett St, Hatfield, 0083 Set in bushveld alive with game 15 loft-style suites with a stylishly
Tel 012 364 0300 and birds, the cottages and farm- contemporary feel. Service and
∑ protea.mariott.com houses here have self-catering food are impeccable and the
Located in an classy suburb close facilities, and are ideal for families. bush spa is highly rated.
For key to prices see p384
W H E R E TO S TAY 391
What to Eat
In the cities, try some of the
African, Indian (in KwaZulu-
Natal) or Malay (in Cape Town)
restaurants. If you are on the
coast, do not miss the delicious
Atmospheric cellar vaulting at the Haute Cabrière estate in the Winelands (see p402) seafood – calamari, mussels,
tuna, crayfish, yellowtail and local
Eating Patterns Prices and Tipping kingklip. On the West Coast there
In South Africa it is common Eating out in South Africa is are scenic open-air seafood
to find restaurants closed on usually inexpensive. The barbecues. The cities and larger
Sundays or Mondays. Coffee average price of a three-course towns offer excellent
shops are open during the day, meal for one (excluding wine international cuisine: Thai,
usually from 8am to 5pm, and and a tip) at a good restaurant Portuguese, Indonesian, Italian,
serve breakfasts, light lunches is about R170–220. But certain Greek, French and Chinese.
and teas. Dinner is the main items, such as seafood, can There are also typical South
meal of the day, served from increase the total substantially. African restaurants, where
6:30pm to 10pm. In urban areas, A freshly-made deli sandwich traditional fare and drinks such
bars, popular restaurants and with tasty fillings will seldom as witblits, strong spirit distilled
fast-food outlets stay open until cost more than R45, while a from peaches, are served.
midnight, or even later. large, hearty breakfast costs South Africa is a meat-loving
around R60. nation. Beefsteaks are a good
Places to Eat
You can always eat well in
South African cities and in the
well-visited outlying areas.
The annual Eat Out magazine,
which is available at news-
agents, recommends
restaurants nationwide and
has a useful website with user
reviews (www.eatout.co.za).
Another good website when
choosing where to eat is
www.dining-out.co.za.
It is best to telephone ahead
and reserve a table in order to
avoid disappointment. If you
cannot keep a reservation, call
the restaurant and cancel. Smart dining at Seafood at The Marine, Hermanus (see p403)
W H E R E TO E AT A N D D R I N K 393
Delivery Services
In the cities and larger towns,
food-delivery services are
popular. The company known
as “Mr Delivery” is contracted
to a variety of eateries and
restaurants (not only fast-food
outlets) and will deliver hot food,
for a reasonable fee, during lunch
time, and from early to late
evening. The local telephone
directory will provide details. Family-friendly Café Ruby, among the Klein Roosboom vineyards, Cape Town (see p400)
www.ebook3000.com
394 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
Braai
The South African braai
(barbecue) is much more than a
meal cooked over an open fire.
It is a social tradition cherished
throughout the land. Lamb
chops, steak, chicken, sosaties
(kebabs) and boerewors (farmer’s
sausage) are the most common
items. The Western Cape is
famous for grilling whole snoek,
basted with a mixture of apricot
jam, white wine and fruit
chutney. Grilled crayfish is
A vast array of South African fruit laid out at a Cape Town market another favourite braai dish.
KwaZulu-Natal Cuisine Fresh fish is also very popular ON THE MENU
In the mid-1800s, indentured in this region, and the annual
labour was brought from India sardine runs on the coast are Erwtensoep Dutch pea soup,
to work in Natal’s sugar cane awaited with great anticipation. slow cooked then liberally laced
As soon as the fish are spotted, with diced, salted pork.
fields. Many workers stayed on
after their contracts expired, locals rush to the sea, collecting Groenmielies Corn on the cob,
and Gujarati traders soon them by the dozen. The grilled over an open fire and
began supplying traditional sardines are immediately thoroughly basted with butter. A
spices to the growing sprinkled with salt, dipped into favourite for a summer braai.
community, who blended a South African spice mixture Koeksisters “Cake sisters” is a
them with local foodstuffs to and fried. sweet Malay snack, best
create distinctly South African described as a doughnut infused
flavours. Today, spice stores with sugary syrup.
specialize in all manner of Perlemoen Tenderized and
blends, some unique to South soaked in milk, abalone is lightly
Africa, which create delicious pan fried, which brings out the
dishes. The early Indian settlers fresh sea taste.
later gained a strong foothold Sosaties Skewers of meat,
in the regional fruit and onions and dried fruit are
vegetable trade, introducing marinated in a curry sauce and
tropical Asian fruit to KwaZulu- then grilled over an open fire.
Natal cuisine. Mangoes, lychees, Waterblommetjiebredie A
banana, paw paw (papaya) Cape stew made of lamb and
and watermelon are enjoyed waterblommetjies, a water plant
fresh, or as ingredients and South African bream caught by a local which resembles an artichoke.
accompaniments to curries. KwaZulu-Natal fisherman
Bobotie is minced beef, spiced Roast springbok or venison Melktert dates back to early
with bay and turmeric, remains succulent when Cape Malay-Dutch cooking. This
topped with an egg custard basted continuously with a sweet custard tart is sprinkled
and baked. sour cream marinade. with cinnamon.
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396 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
Red Wine
The dominant red grape variety is Merlot but it now
has strong competition from the homegrown Pinotage
cultivar (see pp188–9). South Africa still produces plenty
of basic drinking reds but producers such as Bouchard
Finlayson with its Pinot Noir and Boekenhoutskloof
Morgenhof Estate-bottled red, from with its Cabernet Sauvignon have dramatically
vineyards near Stellenbosch expanded the country’s portfolio of excellent reds.
Beer
South African Breweries (SAB) was founded as Castle Brewery
in 1895 to cater for the miners of Johannesburg. Since the 1990s
it has been swallowing up rival breweries across the globe – in
2002 it purchased The Miller Brewing Company in North America
and is now known as SABMiller. The company now brews beer in
75 countries. Castle, Black Label and Hansa are its ubiquitous South
African labels. At the company’s SAB World of Beer Museum in
Johannesburg (see pp314–15), the guided tour has guaranteed
refreshment at the end in the form of a couple of cool “frosties”. Black Label Castle Hansa
Brandy
The word brandy is derived from the Dutch brandewijn
(“brandywine”) meaning burned or distilled wine. The
Dutch used the method for preserving wine aboard ships,
and South Africa’s first brandy was distilled
aboard the Dutch ship Pijl, anchored in
Table Bay harbour in 1672. Today it’s a
favourite tipple of South Africans and an
important export. Chenin Blanc and
Colombard are mainly used for the base
wine. The Western Cape’s Brandy Route
was established in 1997 and stretches
from Stellenbosch through Paarl and
Franschhoek to the Breede River Valley.
The Van Ryn’s Brandy Cellar (see p199),
Louisenhof, Tokara, Uitkyk, Avontuur
A 10-year-old Boplaas Potstill and Kaapzicht are some of the estates
KWV Brandy on the route that offer brandy tastings.
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398 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
95 Keerom RRR
Italian Map 5 B2
95 Keerom St, 8000
Tel 021 422 0765 Closed Sun
The roots of the dishes at this
elegant modern restaurant lie in
authentic Milanese cuisine. The
food is simple, unpretentious
and very fresh.
PAARL: Kikka R
Cape Winelands Café Road Map B5
217 Main Rd, 7646
FRANSCHHOEK: Café des Arts R Tel 021 872 0685 Closed Sun
International The standard breakfast and
7 Reservoir Street West, 7690 coffee shop favourites feature
Tel 021 876 2952 here, plus a few quirkier dishes.
Simple food served in a relaxed The “cake platter” allows you to
ambience, with a menu that sample four of the decadent
changes regularly. All confections on offer, from
ingredients are fresh and a towering red velvet cake to rich
selection of local wines is baked cheesecake.
available.
PAARL: Harvest at Laborie RR
FRANSCHHOEK: Essence R South African Road Map B5
Café Road Map B5 Laborie Estate, Taillefer St, 7646
7 Huguenot Square, 7690 Tel 021 807 3095 Closed Mon
Tel 021 876 4135 Simple, fresh ingredients are used
With comfortable sofas and in the bistro-style classics at this
outdoor tables, this relaxed The Tasting Room in Franschchoek, elegant restaurant that has shady tables
eatery offers generous breakfasts, sister restaurant to Bread & Wine beneath the trees. Dishes are
filled paninis and bagels, local paired with Laborie’s own wine.
favourites such as bobotie and FRANSCHHOEK: The adjacent playground is great
lamb curry, and scones with La Petite Ferme RRR for children.
jam and cream. International Road Map B5
Franschhoek Pass Rd, 7690 PAARL: Bosman’s RRR
FRANSCHHOEK: Bread & Wine Tel 021 876 3016 International Road Map B5
Vineyard Restaurant RR The setting is spectacular and the The Grande Roche Hotel, Plantasie St,
Mediterranean Road Map B5 menu simple at this grand, family- 7646
Moreson Farm, Happy Valley Rd, 7690 run institution that has stood the Tel 021 863 5100
Tel 021 876 3692 test of time. Eat a beautifully Providing a classic fine-dining
The speciality of the chef at this cooked trout caught in the experience, Bosman’s has an
characterful rustic restaurant is restaurant’s dam while looking international team of chefs who
home-made charcuterie. There over vineyards to the mountains. maintain its position as one of
are tables under the lemon the world’s great eateries. There is
trees for alfresco dining. FRANSCHHOEK: a private dining room that can be
The Tasting Room RRR booked for special occasions.
South African Road Map B5
DK Choice Le Quartier Francais Hotel, SOMERSET WEST:
FRANSCHHOEK: 9 Wilhelmina St, 7690 96 Winery Road RR
Picnics RR Tel 021 876 2151 Closed Sun, Mon International Road Map B5
Vineyard Road Map B5 This is regularly featured in Zandberg Farm, Winery Rd, 7599
Boschendal Wine Estate, Pniel Rd, Restaurant magazine’s top 50. Tel 021 842 2020
Groot Drakenstein, 7680 Guests have a choice of four-, Delicious, home-style food with
Tel 021 870 4272 six- or eight-course dining a South African flavour is served
In summer, Boschendal gardens experiences from a menu that with good, friendly service. This is
with its dramatic mountain uses only local ingredients. an ideal spot for a lazy, long
views is perfect for a picnic. lunch. Stand-out dishes include
Collect your basket, filled with FRANSCHHOEK: The Werf crispy pork belly and duck and
terrines, roulades, bread, cold Restaurant RRR cherry pie.
meats, salads, cheese and a French–African Road Map B5
dessert, grab a bottle from the Boschendal Wine Estate, Pniel Rd, SOMERSET WEST: The Avontuur
wine list and you’re all set. Groot Drakenstein, 7680 Restaurant RR
Tel 021 870 4206 Mediterranean Road Map B5
Situated in the original cellar of Avontuur Estate, 7129
Boschendal Manor House, the Tel 021 855 4296
DK Choice emphasis here is on using local, Fresh country ingredients with a
FRANSCHHOEK: seasonal ingredients. Lunch is Mediterranean flavour form the
Haute Cabrière RRR buffet-style with chefs making delicious dishes here. Outdoor
French Road Map B5 the final preparations at an tables have sweeping views over
Lambrechts Rd, 7690 interactive food station. the vineyard to Table Mountain.
Tel 021 876 8500 Closed Mon
This supremely elegant cellar PAARL: Eat@Simonsvlei R SOMERSET WEST:
restaurant is regularly placed Bistro Road Map B5 Steffanie’s Place RR
among South Africa’s top 10. Simonsvlei Winery, Old Paarl Rd, 7624 Italian Road Map B5
Many dishes use ingredients Tel 021 863 3845 Closed Mon 113 Irene Avenue, 7130
found in the valley, including Dine alfresco on the verandah Tel 021 852 7584
fresh salmon and trout. Stand- or inside the dining room with air In a great location overlooking
outs are spiced sweet potato conditioning in summer or a the mountains and the sea, this is
soup with coconut foam and rye fireplace for the winter months at a popular family-run restaurant.
croutons, garlic-crusted lamb this relaxed restaurant. The menu Menu highlights include grilled
loin and assiette of aubergine. has fresh, slow-cooked food. Open kingklip with salsa, queen prawns
only for breakfast and lunch. and chocolate torte.
For key to prices see p398
W H E R E TO E AT A N D D R I N K 403
KNYSNA: Ile de Pain R stone-ground flour, as well as cuisine. Try salt and pepper squid
Café Road Map C5 pastries, desserts and croissants. on a Thai-inspired salad, harissa
The Boatshed, Thesen’s Island, 6570 Breakfast and lunch can be fish soup and cinnamon, fennel
Tel 044 302 5707 Closed Mon enjoyed in the relaxing courtyard. and ginger ice cream.
Using a wood-fired oven and
locally-grown ingredients, chef PLETTENBERG BAY: Cornuti PORT ELIZABETH: Natti’s Thai
Liezie Mulder creates delicious al Mare RR Kitchen RR
breads and much more. Sicilian Italian Road Map C5 Thai Road Map D5
bruschetta or Cambodian curry 1 Perestrella St, 6600 Park Lane, 6000
are recommended lunch options. Tel 044 533 1277 Tel 041 373 2763 Closed Sun, Mon
The thin, crispy pizzas are highly Natti’s Thai Kitchen has earned a
KNYSNA: 34 South RR recommended, as is the seafood respected reputation due to its
Seafood Road Map C5 meze. The bar is where the action authentic cuisine. The menu
Quay 19, Knysna Quays, Waterfront is, with a good selection of includes fragrant green curry,
Drive, 6571 cocktails and wines by the glass. very hot red curry, searingly hot
Tel 044 382 7331 “angry duck”, stir-fries and
Situated right in the harbour, this dishes featuring tamarind.
deli-cum-bar is always buzzing. DK Choice
The extensive wine list features PLETTENBERG BAY: Seafood WILDERNESS: Pomodoro R
some of the best wines in the at The Plettenberg RRR Italian Road Map C5
Western Cape. South African Road Map C5 George Rd, 6560
Lookout Rocks, 40 Church St, 6600 Tel 044 877 1403
KNYSNA: Drydock Food Co. RR Tel 044 533 2030 The outside terrace of Pomodoro
International Road Map C5 A sophisticated dining is the locals’ meeting place and is
Waterfront Shop 1, Knysna Quays, 6570 experience not to be missed. always alive with activity. A wide
Tel 044 382 7310 The modern local fare is range of pizzas and pasta dishes
Overlooking the yacht basin, this seasonally influenced. Seafood makes this restaurant popular
lovely wood and glass restaurant is what it’s all about, and the with families.
offers great seafood, as well as platter featuring crayfish from
meat dishes, salads and sinful Hermanus is a must. The award- WILDERNESS: The Girls RRR
desserts. This is a great place for winning wine list showcases African Road Map C5
drinks at sundown. cool climate wines, especially Caltex Centre, 1 George Rd, 6560
chosen to pair with seafood. Tel 044 877 1648 Closed Mon
KNYSNA: Pembreys Bistro RR The African-inspired atmosphere
Mediterranean Road Map C5 here is highlighted by artwork
Brenton Rd, Belvidere, 6571 PORT ELIZABETH: Royal Delhi R from local artist Peter Pharoah.
Tel 044 386 0005 Indian Road Map D5 Popular menu items include
Relax and enjoy the old farmhouse 10 Burgess St, 6001 fresh linefish, succulent prawns,
setting, warmed by a roaring fire in Tel 041 373 8216 Closed Sun tender steaks and curries, all
winter. The chalkboard menu This is an unpretentious, good- cooked in an open kitchen.
changes daily but home-made value family-run restaurant.
ravioli, slow roasts and fresh Recommended dishes include WILDERNESS: Serendipity RRR
seafood is always available. the deboned lamb curry, closely South African Road Map C5
followed by the curried oxtail. Serendipity, Freesia Avenue, 6560
MOSSEL BAY: Punjabi Kitchen R Tel 044 877 0433 Closed Sun
Indian Road Map C5 PORT ELIZABETH: Ginger RR Husband and wife team
Eden Plaza, 8 Grave St, 6500 International Road Map D5 Rudolf and Lizelle Stolze focus
Tel 044 690 5020 The Beach Hotel, Marine Drive, on fine dining with a tangible
The friendly, informal Punjabi Summerstrand, 6000 personal touch. Dinner is a
Kitchen is committed to serving Tel 041 583 1229 five-course South African-
unpretentious, wholesome dishes, With a friendly atmosphere, this inspired table d’hôte menu to
including curries, roti rolls, bunny chic restaurant has an eclectic be experienced at a leisurely
chows and other favourites. menu boasting some innovative pace in a refined atmosphere.
Vegetarians are well-catered for.
PLETTENBERG BAY:
Le Fournil de Plett R
Café Road Map C5
Lookout Centre, cnr Church St and
Main St, 6600
Tel 044 533 1390
Slow-rise artisan breads are
baked daily using organic Fresh, modern decor at the Punjabi Kitchen, Mossel Bay
For more information on types of restaurants see pp392–3
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406 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
UNDERBERG:
The Old Hatchery R
Portuguese Road Map E3
Drakensberg Gardens Rd, 3257
Tel 081 011 6311
Popular restaurant-cum-bar with
a cosy fireplace and a big-screen
TV for sports events. Barbecue on
the deck is a Saturday special, Moyo uShaka, offering an authentic African experience
with prawns, espetada and peri-
peri chicken. The à la carte menu prawns, succulent marinated
has vegetarian options. chicken and the traditional DK Choice
espatada, trinchado and DURBAN: Moyo uShaka RRR
WINTERTON: The Pig and prego rolls. African Road Map F3
Plough R 1 Bell St, uShaka Marine World,
Bistro Road Map E3 DURBAN: The Hops R Point, 4001
R74, Winterton, 3340 International Road Map F3 Tel 031 332 0606
Tel 036 488 1542 Riverside Hotel & Spa, 10 Kenneth African flavours rule here. You
Great coffee, light meals and Kaunda Rd, 4065 can build your own starter
wood-oven pizzas are offered at Tel 031 573 1657 platters with anything from
this family-oriented farm shop Featuring splendid views of the biltong to molasses-grilled
and deli. There is a fenced-in play ocean, The Hops offers an calamari, kofte to prawn
area and children can pet the affordable menu with burgers, samosas, snoek pâté to spring-
farm animals. Freshly baked seafood and steaks as well as bok carpaccio. Prawn and mussel
goods are available daily. interesting salads and wraps. feasts are popular, as are tagines,
Pub baskets with finger food for curries and grilled Karoo lamb.
WINTERTON: The Waffle Hut R sharing are available as well.
Café Road Map E3
KwaZulu Weavers, R600, Champagne DURBAN: Circus Circus DURBAN: Roma Revolving
Valley, 3340 Beach Café RR Restaurant RRR
Tel 036 448 1500 Café Italian Road Map F3
Connected to the KwaZulu Snell Parade, Bay of Plenty, 4001 32nd Floor, John Ross House, Margret
Weavers Co-op, The Waffle Hut Tel 031 337 7700 Mncadi Avenue, 4001
specializes in sweet and savoury Circus Circus is ideally located on Tel 031 337 6707 Closed Sun
waffles and pancakes. It serves the promenade with great sea Situated 105 m (350 ft) above sea
breakfasts, light lunches and a views. Salads, Lebanese flat- level, Roma gently revolves for
special children’s menu. Food can breads and gourmet burgers are 360-degree views of the city. The
be taken away. popular menu items and there cuisine is based on Italian fare,
are some good vegetarian with a good mix of seafood and
options as well. game dishes.
Limpopo,
Mpumalanga and
Kruger
GRASKOP: Harrie’s Pancakes R
Café Road Map F2
Cnr Louis Trichardt and Church sts,
1270
Tel 013 767 1273
This popular lunch spot serves
meal-sized pancakes stuffed with
a variety of sweet and savoury
fillings – try the bobotie or the
banana with caramel.
GRASKOP: Canimambo
Restaurante RR
Portuguese Road Map F2
Sakhumzi, serving up typical local fare in a historic Soweto setting Cnr Louis Trichardt and Hoof sts, 1270
Tel 013 767 1868
PRETORIA: Prue Leith RRR SUN CITY: The Sun Terrace R Try bean stew, espetada and piri-
International Road Map E2 International Road Map D2 piri prawns at this family-run
262 Rhino St, Centurion, 0157 Sun City Hotel, 0316 venue serving Mozambican
Tel 012 654 5203 Closed Sun–Tue Tel 014 557 1211 Portuguese food. The wine list
Housed in the Prue Leith College The vast lunch buffet at this includes Portuguese wines.
of Food & Wine, this is a training eatery and lounge features
academy for aspiring chefs and specialities from across the HAZYVIEW: Kuka RR
catering staff. Daily lessons globe, including meat, poultry, African Road Map F2
dictate what’s on the menu, seafood and vegetarian options. Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, R40, 1242
which consists of delicious, It is an ideal place in which to Tel 013 7376 957
high-quality fare prepared to unwind over a relaxed meal. All-day breakfasts, wraps, seafood
a superb standard. Booking is essential. combos and curries, and
delicious cocktails can be
SOWETO: Sakhumzi R SUN CITY: The Grill Room RR enjoyed at this modern, bright
South African Road Map E2 Steakhouse Road Map D2 Afro-chic restaurant.
6980 Vilakazi St, Orlando West, 1804 Sun City Hotel, 0316
Tel 011 536 1379 Tel 014 557 4307
Located on historic Vilakazi A classic New York steakhouse DK Choice
Street, where the first homes menu is served in this traditional HAZYVIEW: Pioneer’s Butcher
of Nelson Mandela and Bishop setting overlooking the Palace & Grill RR
Tutu are found, Sakhumzi lakes. The Grill Room is famous Steakhouse Road Map F2
restaurant and cocktail bar for serving the best steaks at Rendezvous Tourism Centre, 1242
offers typical township Sun City, with an excellent wine Tel 013 737 7397
streetfood and ambience. list to match. At this modern restaurant the
speciality is in-house aged roasts,
SOWETO: Wandie’s Place R SUN CITY: Bocado RRR steaks and other grills but there
South African Road Map E2 Mediterranean Road Map D2 are fish and vegetarian dishes,
618 Makhalemele St, Cascades Hotel, 0316 too. There is also a lounge and
Dube Village, 1800 Tel 014 5575850 bar with large-screen TV for
Tel 011 982 2796 This restaurant on the Cascades sports events. Children are well
Meals are buffet style at this cosy Hotel’s pool deck offers a catered for with their own
eatery in Soweto township. wide selection of delicious menu and a playroom.
They feature grilled and roasted Mediterranean dishes such
meats, and specialities such as as kleftiko (slow-baked lamb),
dumplings, ting (soft porridge) meze platters with fresh oysters HAZYVIEW: Tides Seafood
and umqushu (grits and beans). and other seafood specialities. Diner RR
There is a large selection of There is also a special menu Seafood Road Map F2
salads, making this a popular for children. Rendezvous Tourism Centre, 1242
venue for vegetarians. Tel 013 737 8087 Closed Sun
SUN CITY: Crystal Court RRR Pancakes, wraps, salads, seafood
STERKFONTEIN: Greensleeves International Road Map D2 combos and popular seafood
Medieval Kingdom RRR The Palace of the Lost City, 0316 platters, along with ice-cold beer
English Road Map E2 Tel 014 557 4307 on tap, are offered here. There is
Hekpoort Rd, R563, 1739 Superbly prepared and varied also a children’s menu.
Tel 082 602 2958 cuisine with African influences
A medieval-themed banqueting is offered in this sophisticated NELSPRUIT: Saffron RR
experience, with spit-roast beef and elegant setting with tall Mediterranean Road Map
and whole chickens served on ceilings and long windows. The Chez Vincent Guesthouse, 56 Ferreira
platters. Live entertainment by the breakfast buffet is fabulous and St, 1201
Baron and his Troubadours adds to the lavish High Tea spread has Tel 013 744 1146 Closed Sun
the fun. Open Friday and Saturday become a delightful attraction This guesthouse restaurant
evenings and for Sunday lunch. in its own right. specializes in tapas dishes from
For key to prices see p398
W H E R E TO E AT A N D D R I N K 411
SHOPPING IN
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s principal shopping attraction is, and markets countrywide. Crafters from the
undoubtedly, its superb range of handcrafted rest of Africa, attracted by South Africa’s
goods, as well as jewellery made from locally- thriving tourism industry, frequent markets
mined gold, inlaid with precious or semi- in the larger centres, selling, for example, cere-
precious stones. Intricate beadwork, woven monial wooden masks and malachite bracelets.
rugs and carpets, decorative baskets, stone All manner of other handiwork can be found in
and woodcarvings, wood-and-bone spoons crafts markets, too, from windchimes, wooden
and traditional, flowing African garments beach chairs and painted duvet covers to
with geometric motifs are sold at curio shops African chili sauces and leather goods.
Where to Shop
Large shopping malls are found
in all cities and towns, and
feature everything from giant
chain stores to small speciality
boutiques. These have not,
however, forced out the smaller
high street shops, where
specialist book, fashion and
Street vendors display their goods outside The Workshop Mall in Durban (see pp286–9) wine stores jostle with delis
SHOPPING IN SOUTH AFRICA 413
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414 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
ENTERTAINMENT IN
SOUTH AFRICA
In the three main cities – Johannesburg, places have music, restaurant and clubbing
Cape Town and Durban – people party as venues. The demand for cinemas and casinos
hard as they work. There is always something is high, and exciting new venues are opened
happening and the choices of entertainment regularly. The dramatic arts are innovative
vary from nightclubs and stadium concerts to and of a very high standard, with theatre
community theatre and gallery openings. This companies committed to the development
does not mean, however, that other South of a local arts culture. The vibrant music scene
African cities and towns are dull. Even rural spans classical, jazz and African genres.
Cinema
Mainstream Hollywood film
productions are the main fare –
South Africa’s film industry is still
in the fledgling stage, and there
is relatively little demand for
foreign-language films with
The Oude Libertas amphitheatre, Stellenbosch (see p41) subtitles. The cities host regular
film festivals whose themes
Information events and sports fixtures. It range from French, Italian and
For details of entertainment has a comprehensive website Dutch to natural health, the
in the cities, check the local for booking online or you can environment and gay and
daily press and the weekly phone its call centre. In lesbian. Multi-screen Ster-
papers, such as the Mail & addition, tickets can be Kinekor and Nu Metro cinema
Guardian, available nationwide. purchased via mobile phone complexes are found in larger
They review and list theatre using the Computicket shopping malls.
productions, current film mobisite, or by visiting one of
festivals, art exhibitions, music its branches in major shopping
performances and other malls or at any Shoprite or Theatre, Opera
interesting events. Checkers super-market. Tickets and Dance
Reviews and listings also can be collected from these Comedy, satire, cabaret and
appear on a number of outlets or printed at home. musicals are particularly
websites – that of Cape Town
Magazine in Cape Town
(www.capetown magazine.com);
JHBLive in Johannesburg
(www.jhblive.com); and Durban
Live in Durban (www.durban
live.com) are good places to
start. However, the best source
of information is Computicket
(see below).
Booking Tickets
Computicket is South Africa’s
nationwide booking agency for
all concerts, plays and live
performances, plus cinema, Dancers at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (see p43)
E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N S O U T H A F R I C A 415
Gaming
South Africa has more
than 40 casinos in large
“Cross Roads”, Rupert Museum, Stellenbosch entertainment complexes
on the fringes of most major
popular in South Africa, as are sounds: rock, jazz, gospel, centres. They are typically
modernized and “localized” reggae, rap and Afro-fusion. designed around a lavish
adaptations of Shakespeare. The members of the popular theme and include hotels,
Arts Alive, a Johannesburg Soweto String Quartet charm restaurants and bars and a
festival held in September, is audiences with their unique range of activities for the
a major celebration of the compositions and African- whole family. Among the
per forming arts. The FNB flavoured interpretations most popular is the famed
Dance Umbrella, held in of classical pieces. Sun City in the North West
Johannesburg in February and Local rock bands such as province (see p326) and Gold
March, is an important platform Springbok Nude Girls and Reef City, Montecasino and
for new choreographers. The Parlotones enjoy a loyal Emperor’s Palace in
National Arts Festival (see p43), following, and appear at clubs Johannesburg. In Durban,
held in Grahamstown in July, countrywide. Check the listings the Sun Coast Casino has
is the best place to go for an guides and local radio stations its own private beach in
overview of innovative, exciting for details of gigs and venues. addition to the gaming
South African theatre, dance, Music from the rest offerings. More than a dozen
artistic and musical talent. of Africa is filtering down to of these casino complexes
Opera, too, is well supported, South Africa, and clubs are are operated by Sun
especially in Cape Town, where rocking to sounds from Ghana, International.
the Cape Town Opera (see p174) Mali and Benin. Gaming tables include
performs at the Artscape black-jack, roulette, poker
Theatre Centre from May to and punto banco. Larger
September. Artscape is also Art casinos usually have a salon
the main venue for the Cape Johannesburg, Durban, privé, in addition to a hall of
Town City Ballet (see p174). Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and slot machines.
Bloemfontein, as well as some
of the larger towns such as DIRECTORY
Music Knysna, have excellent art
Symphony and classical galleries. These showcase Booking Tickets
orchestras are well supported local and international works,
in the cities: concerts are held from the traditional to the Computicket
in venues such as the Durban Tel 0861 915 8000.
City Hall (see p287), Cape Town’s ∑ online.computicket.com
City Hall and the Johannesburg
College of Music in Parktown. Cinemas
Outdoor, twilight
performances, for example Nu Metro
at Durban’s Botanic Gardens
∑ numetro.co.za
(see p289) and Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden in Ster-Kinekor
Cape Town (see pp164–5), are
∑ sterkinekor.com
popular. Look out for the carols
by candlelight events in the
cities every December. Gaming
Nowadays, international
Sun International
bands, pop and opera singers
regularly include South Africa Tel 011 780 7855.
on their world tours. Local Merry-go-round at the Carousel Casino, ∑ suninternational.com
bands offer a wide range of close to Gauteng
www.ebook3000.com
416 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
SPECIALINTEREST
HOLIDAYS
South Africa, with its moderate climate, long however. Whether it is canoeing on the
hours of sunshine, endless coastline and Orange River, taking plant-hunting trips
varied landscape, is a country that can in the coastal forests of KwaZulu-Natal,
provide a wide range of outdoor pursuits mountaineering in the Drakensberg, bungee
almost all year round. South Africans, in jumping along the Garden Route, board-
general, enjoy the great outdoors: during sailing in the Western Cape or visiting historic
summer, visitors to Cape Town may well battlefields and museums, there is something
believe that the entire city is in training for to interest everyone. Moreover, South Africa’s
forthcoming running and cycling marathons, fascinating multicultural past and present
as locals take to the streets to get fit. can be experienced at regional festivals
Activities go beyond competitive sports, (see pp40–43) and on special tours.
Hiking
Even the smallest farms in the
most remote regions have laid-
out trails, with distance-marked
paths and maps provided upon
booking and payment. Most
overnight hikes are situated on
private land or state reserves,
with accommodation in rustic
huts, with firewood, mattresses
and cold-water washing
facilities usually included.
Favourite trails such as the four-
night Otter Trail and four-night
Tsitsikamma Trail (see pp238–9)
need to be booked more than a
year in advance. Most outdoor
equipment stores are able to Kloofing, or madcap jumping, into pools, a new dimension of hiking
advise on day and longer hikes,
and they also sell guide books, around the country, including Rock Climbing
maps and trail provisions. descriptions, facilities available and Kloofing
Green Flag Trails, an arm and reservation details. Rock climbing (whether
of the Hiking Organization of Most private reserves and traditional, sport or bouldering)
Southern Africa (HOSA), some of the provincial reserves has a large following in South
lists and grades more than and national parks offer guided Africa. Climbing equipment
100 accredited hiking trails game- and bird-watching stores can provide enthusiasts
rambles, as well as overnight with gear, information and
bushveld and wilderness trails. route ideas. Some of the best
The real attraction of these traditional climbing is found
hikes, is the unrivalled in KwaZulu-Natal’s Drakensberg
experience of walking through (see pp274–5), while Cape Town’s
the African bush, surrounded by Table Mountain (see pp136–7)
the sounds and smells of its offers interesting challenges
diverse fauna and flora. for experienced climbers.
The Kruger National Park (see Coming back down from the
pp340–5) offers at least seven climb can take the form of a
such trails: the Bushman Trail fast and thrilling abseil descent,
includes finding rock paintings or the Australian SAS-created
in the hill shelters. Due to the counterpart, known as a rapp
popularity of these walks, jump. This involves descending
bookings should be made at high speed while facing
months in advance. Contact forward with the rope attached
South Africa National Parks to your back and your feet
Hiking in KwaZulu-Natal (SANParks) for details. pounding down the rock face.
S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T H O L I D AY S 417
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418 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
(see p162), and the Wanderers and proud tradition here. The
cricket grounds in Johannesburg. game has produced such great
The country’s favourite sport golfers as Gary Player, winner of
is football, but the game has a record 163 international
only recently started to attract competitions, and more
serious financial investment. recently Ernie Els, who upholds
The legacy of the 2010 FIFA Springbok pride in the world’s
World Cup, which was hosted major tournaments.
by South Africa, includes 10 Since the 1980s and the start
major stadiums, which today of the global golf boom, South
are used by teams in the Africa has seen an extensive
South African Premier programme of course upgrades
Soccer League (PSL). This is and new builds. These include
made up of 15 clubs with the Jack Nicklaus’ signature course
Chiefs, Sundowns, Wits, Pirates at Pearl Valley Golf and
and Ajax being consistently Country Estate and Fancourt
the highest-ranking teams. Golf Club Estate, which is
Nectar-feeding Malachite sunbird, with As with rugby, match day is picturesquely set on the Garden
emerald plumage always a great event, attracting Route and widely acknowledged
enthusiastic supporters in as one of the world’s best and
dinosaur tracks or San rock their tens of thousands. most scenic challenges.
art. Accommodation is in The most famous course
Basotho huts, with traditional of all is the Gary Player Country
food and dancing provided Club at Sun City, whose
by the local people. immaculate greens host the
Nedbank Golf Challenge. Other
top courses to have featured on
Bird-Watching, Flora and the European PGA Tour, the
Fauna Trails local Sunshine Tour and the
Blessed with a prodigious South African Open include
variety of indigenous birds, Durban’s Erinvale Golf Club,
along with vast flocks of Leopard Creek Country Club
migratory birds that pass and Glendower Golf Club.
through during the colder The country’s terrain and
European winters, South Africa balmy climate, especially in and
is a bird-watchers’ paradise. around the Winelands (see
BirdLife South Africa provides pp192–209) and the Garden
checklists of the more than 800 Route (see pp236–45), are
species recorded in the country. Beautiful view from the green of Leopard perfect for the best enjoyment
It also recommends the best Creek golf course of the game, and the facilities
birding spots. are usually just as outstanding.
There is also a wide range of Golf This has led to an increase in
fauna to be seen. Seal or whale- The game of golf was the popularity of golf package
watching (see pp190–91) are introduced to South Africa by holidays, and South Africa
very popular along the coast, British – and notably Scottish – now claims to be the most
either from a boat or dry land colonialists during the early successful golfing nation per
with binoculars. Safaris or 19th century, and has a long capita in the world.
wilderness trails both offer an
amazing opportunity to view
wild animals and flora in their
natural habitat, and are an
essential part of any trip to
South Africa, but it is essential
to book well in advance
(see pp66–71).
Spectator Sports
For those who prefer watching
to participating, world-class
rugby and cricket can be
enjoyed at modern stadiums,
such as the Newlands sports
grounds in Cape Town Watching cricket at Newlands grounds, with Table Mountain as a backdrop
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420 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
DIRECTORY
Hiking Water Sports Bird-Watching, Cape Rainbow Tours
Flora and Fauna Tel 021 551 5465.
South Africa National Amanzi Trails Trails ∑ caperainbow.com
Parks (SANParks) Tel 021 559 1573.
Tel 012 428 9111. BirdLife South Africa Durban Tourism
∑ amanzitrails.co.za
∑ sanparks.org Tel 011 789 1122. 90 Florida Rd, Durban.
Apex Shark ∑ birdlife.org.za Tel 031 322 4164.
Trail Guide Expeditions ∑ durbanexperience.
∑ trailguide.co.za Quayside Building, Spectator Sports co.za
Main Rd, Simon’s Town, Vhupo Tours
Rock Climbing Cape Town.
South African
and Kloofing Premier Soccer Tel 011 936 0411.
Tel 021 786 5717. ∑ vhupo-tours.com
League (PSL)
Mountain Club of ∑ apexpredators.com
Tel 011 715 2500.
South Africa ∑ psl.co.za
Battlefield Tours
Kaskazi Kayaks
Tel 021 465 3412.
179 Beach Rd, Three Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
∑ mcsa.org.za Golf
Anchor Bay, Cape Town. On the R33 south of
Tel 083 346 1146. Dundee.
Fishing Erinvale Golf Club
Tel 034 642-1843.
∑ kayak.co.za Lourensford Road,
Big Blue Fishing ∑ fugitivesdrift.com
National Association Somerset West.
Charters Tel 021 847 1906. Isandlwana Lodge
of Underwater
Wharf St, ∑ erinvalegolf Off the R68 southeast of
Simon’s Town, Instructors (NAUI)
club.com Dundee.
Cape Town. 70 Van Gorkom St,
Tel 034 271-8301.
Elarduspark, Pretoria. Fancourt Golf Club
Tel 021 786 5667. ∑ isandlwana.co.za
Tel 079 718 7604. Estate
Lynski Fishing ∑ naui.org 1 Montagu Rd, George.
Charters Tel 044 804 0000.
Tel 031 539 3338. Professional ∑ fancourt.co.za
∑ lynski.com Association of Diving
Gary Player Country
Instructors
Club
Air Sports Tel (+44) 0117 300 7234.
Sun City Resort,
∑ padi.com North West Province.
Airtrackers
Tel 014 552 5020. Umkulu Tel 014 557-1245/6.
hotairballoonsafarisa. Tel 021 853 7952. ∑ suninternational.
co.za ∑ orangeriver com
rafting.com Glendower Golf Club
Bill Harrop’s Original
∑ umkuluadventures. 20 Marias Rd,
Balloon Safaris
Tel 011 705 3201. com Edenvale, Johannesburg.
Tel 011 453 1013.
∑ balloon.co.za Wavescape ∑ glendower.co.za
Face Adrenalin ∑ wavescape.co.za
Leopard Creek
Bloukrans Bridge, White Shark Ventures Country Club
Garden Route. Tel 021 532 0470. Malelane, bordering
Tel 042 281 1458. ∑ white-shark- Kruger National Park,
∑ faceadrenalin.com
diving.com Mpumalanga.
South African Hang Tel 013 791 2000.
Gliding and Horse Riding and ∑ leopardcreek.co.za
Paragliding Pony-Trekking Pearl Valley Golf and
Association Country Estate
Tel 012 668 3186. Cape Nature
Tel 072 446 9977. Wemmershoek Rd, Paarl.
∑ sahpa.co.za Tel 021 867 8000.
∑ capenature.co.za
∑ pearlvalley.co.za
Cycling Ezemvelo KZN
Cycling South Wildlife Township and
Africa Tel 033 845 1000. Cultural Tours
Tel 021 917 1736. ∑ kznwildlife.com
Andulela Experience
∑ cyclingsa.com Malealea Lodge & Tel 021 418 3020.
Pedal Power Pony-Trekking ∑andulela.com
Association Malealea, Lesotho. Cape Capers
Tel 021 671 6340. Tel 082 552 4215. Tel 021 448 3117.
∑ pedalpower.org.za ∑ malealea.com ∑ tourcapers.co.za
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422 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
On-Board Cuisine
and Service
The standard of catering and
service on board will be that of
a five-star hotel. These trains
have a very high ratio of staff to
guests, especially in the
restaurant car. Meals are of The Blue Train travels past an impressive Table Mountain view
gourmet standard prepared by
executive chefs and usually an in a smart lounge suit or a large windows offering
added extra is afternoon tea. tuxedo. The daytime dress panoramic views.
code is more relaxed, smart
casual clothes.
What to Take Health and Safety
It pays to pack light because All trains have a member of
there are limits to the size What is Included staff trained in first aid. It is also
and number of cases that Rates include food, drink important to find out if the train
can be stowed away (check and off-train excursions by is passing through malaria risk
with the train company). coach. In addition, each suite areas, as suitable preventative
However, guests should bring has an inclusive mini-bar fully medication will need to be
formal wear for evenings as stocked to the passengers’ taken. There is little need
they tend to be rather choice, although some to worry about personal
grand occasions, with ladies companies may charge extra security, but, as always, keep
dressing in traditional evening for champagne. There are valuables locked in an on-
wear and gentlemen either comfortable lounges with board safe.
DIRECTORY
Blue Train
Tel 012 334 8459.
∑ bluetrain.co.za
Rovos Rail
Tel 012 315 8242.
∑ rovos.co.za
Shongololo Express
Tel 021 421 4020.
∑ shongololo.com
Dining car on a Rovos Rail train with original teak pillars
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SURVIVAL
GUIDE
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426 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
South Africa hosts around 10 million foreign June and July. Although the number
visitors a year. Throughout the country, of tourists increases every year, the
the peak seasons coincide with the South country nevertheless offers a sense of
African school holidays – the busiest times the “undiscovered”. Local people still have
are from early December to late February, wide, sandy beaches largely to themselves,
especially along the south and east coasts. and in the interior, visitors cannot fail to be
The Easter weekend is also busy at both captivated by the peace and solitude in the
inland and seaside resorts, as are the natural splendour offered by the game
four-week winter school holidays during parks and nature reserves.
Tourist Information
Tourist offices, identified by the
letter “i” on a green background,
offer advice about what to see
and where to go. They may also
carry the name of an umbrella
organization or a local publicity
association. The offices are usually
Summer game-viewing at Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth (see p254) sited on the main road in the
A beautifully rebuilt classic train, part of the luxurious Rovos Rail fleet, at Capital Park station in Pretoria
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M AT I O N 427
Disabled Travellers
The rights of disabled people
are enshrined in South Africa’s
constitution, and legislation
requires that wherever
possible public buildings
can accommodate visitors
with disabilities. All modern
shopping malls, museums and
tourist attractions have ramps,
lifts and reserved parking. Local
airlines provide assistance for
The John Benn takes sightseers around the Knysna Lagoon (see p244) disabled passengers. The newer
transport systems found in the
smaller towns, sometimes too. Shopping malls in the cities cities, such as Cape Town’s
adjoining (or inside) the offices are open daily, some until 9pm. MyCiTi Bus and Johannesburg’s
of the local authority, or forming Most museums and galleries Gautrain, can accommodate
part of the local museum or open 9am–5pm daily. Outdoor wheelchairs. South Africa also
library. Each of South attractions, such as has a growing number of
Africa’s nine provinces parks and reserves, are hotels that cater for the
has a tourist board, and usually open from disabled, and most SANParks
planning and advance sunrise to sunset. national parks have specially
information can be adapted chalets.
found on their websites,
as well as from Etiquette
South African Tourism. Disabled parking Dress code in South
African cities is casual,
except for a few top restaurants
Opening Times and formal events. On the
Business hours are usually from beach, it is illegal for women to
8:30am to 5pm Monday–Friday, swim or sunbathe topless. The
while banks and post offices are consumption of alcohol on
open 8:30am–3:30pm Monday– beaches and in public places is
Friday and 8:30am–11:30am on illegal, as is smoking in buses,
Saturday. Shops generally close trains, taxis and most public
at 5:30pm (often at 1pm on buildings. It is vital to observe
weekends), but larger super- religious customs when visiting
markets open until late in the mosques, temples and other Visitors must remove their shoes before
evening and usually on Sunday, places of worship. entering a Hindu temple
DIRECTORY
Visas and US Embassy of Ireland Gauteng Tourism
Passports US Department of State Pretoria. Tel 012 342 5062. ∑ gauteng.net
∑ travel.state.gov ∑ dfa.ie
Dept of International Limpopo Tourism
New Zealand High ∑ golimpopo.com
Relations and Embassies and Commission
Cooperation Consulates Mpumalanga Tourism
Tel 012 351 1000. Pretoria. Tel 012 435 9000.
∑ mpumalanga.com
∑ dirco.gov.za Australian High ∑ nzembassy.com
Commission US Consulate General Northen Cape
Travel Safety Pretoria. Tel 012 423 6000. Cape Town: Tel 021 702 Tourism
Advice ∑ southafrica.embassy. ∑ experience
7300.
gov.au northerncape.com
Durban: Tel 031 305 7600.
Australia British High
US Embassy South African
Department of Foreign Commission
Pretoria. Tel 012 431 4000. Tourism
Affairs and Trade Cape Town: Tel 021 405 2400.
∑ za.usembassy.gov ∑ southafrica.net
∑ dfat.gov.au Pretoria: Tel 012 421 7500.
∑ smartraveller.gov.au ∑ gov.uk Tourism KwaZulu
Tourist Offices Natal
UK Canadian High
Eastern Cape Tourism ∑ zulu.org.za
Foreign and Commission
∑ visiteasterncape.co.za
Commonwealth Office Pretoria. Tel 012 422 3000. Western Cape
∑ gov.uk/foreign- ∑ canadainternational. Free State Tourism ∑ thewesterncape.
travel-advice gc.ca ∑ freestatetourism.org co.za
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428 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
Women Travellers
Women should never walk
alone after dark, even on the
beach. While the incidence of Backpackers’ accommodation in the centre of Cape Town
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M AT I O N 429
year, but the massive costume shopping malls and in rounded pins. Most appliances
party attracts more than 10,000 many public buildings such such as razors and chargers for
revellers, many overseas visitors. as civic centres, libraries and phones, cameras etc. will fit the
town halls. Most large urban two-pin sockets, but an adaptor
vehicle service stations have is needed for the rounded
Student Travel toilets, but these are intended three-pin sockets. International
Students with a valid Inter- for the use of clients. On major travel adaptors are sold in many
national Student Identity Card tourist routes, most garages shops in South Africa, as well as
(ISIC) benefit from good airline that have refreshment centres at all the international airports.
travel discounts, but reduced also usually have well-kept
admission to venues and events toilets. Public toilets can be
has not taken off in South Africa. found at railway and bus Weights and Measures
STA Travel, an agency that stations, although these toilets South Africa uses the metric
specializes in student travel, has are often not very clean. system. Normal body tempera-
branches worldwide. Back- Many have no soap or hand- ture of 98.4° F is equal to 37° C.
packing is gaining in popularity. drying facilities. An alternative If the weather chart shows
is to use the toilets in a 30° C, you are in for a hot day.
restaurant where you are a A pressure of 30 pounds per
Time customer. Large shopping square inch is equal to two bars.
South African Standard centres and tourist
Time (there is only one attractions usually have
time zone) is two well-maintained Conversion Chart
hours ahead of facilities and Imperial to Metric
Greenwich Mean Time customized 1 inch = 2.54 cm
(GMT) all year round, toilets for 1 foot = 30 cm
seven hours ahead wheelchair- 1 mile = 1.6 km
of the United users. Baby- 1 ounce = 28 g
States’ Eastern changing facilities 1 pound = 454 g
Standard South African two- and are also available. 1 pint = 0.57 litres
Winter Time three-pin plugs 1 gallon = 4.6 litres
and seven hours
behind Australian Central Time. Electrical Supply Metric to Imperial
Electricity (alternating current) 1 mm = 0.04 inches
is supplied by the state-owned 1 cm = 0.4 inches
Public Toilets utility company Eskom. Mains 1 m = 3 feet 3 inches
There are public toilets voltage is 220/230 volts (220V) 1 km = 0.6 miles
everywhere and they are at 50 cycles (50Hz). Most local 1 g = 0.04 ounces
generally of a high standard. power plugs are 5A (amperes) 1 kg = 2.2 pounds
There are public toilets in with two pins, or 15A with three 1 litre = 1.8 pints
DIRECTORY
Disabled Gay and Lesbian Pink Loerie Mardi Johannesburg.
Travellers Travellers Gras Tel 011 447 5414.
∑ pinkloerie.co.za
Epic Enabled Cape Town Pride Student Travel Head
Tel 021 785 7440 or Pink South Africa Office
∑ capetownpride.org ∑ pinksa.co.za
073 22 82 825. Tel 0861 781 781.
∑ epic-enabled.com Friends of Dorothy Purple Roofs ∑ statravel.co.za
Tel 083 555 6611. ∑ purpleroofs.com
Flamingo Tours
Tel 082 450 2031. ∑ friendsofdorothy
tours.co.za Student Travel
∑ flamingotours.co.za
Jo’Burg Pride International
Travelling with Student Identity
Children ∑ joburgpride.org
Card (ISIC)
Mother City Queer ∑ isic.org
SA Kids on the Go
Project STA Travel
∑ sakidsonthego.com
∑ mcqp.co.za 14 Main Road,
Women Travellers Rondebosch,
Out2Africa
Cape Town.
Rape Crisis 99 Hope St, Cape Town. Tel 021 686 6800.
Tel 021 447 9762. Tel 021 469 2600. The Mall of Rosebank,
∑ rapecrisis.org.za ∑ out2africa.com 50 Bath Avenue,
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430 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
Netcare St Augustine’s
Hospital
107 Chelmsford Rd, Glenwood,
Durban. Tel 031 268 5000.
∑ netcare.co.za
Sandton Mediclinic
Peter Place, Bryanston, Jo’burg.
Tel 011 709 2000.
∑ mediclinic.co.za
Malaria
Netcare Travel Clinic
∑ travelclinic.co.za
The police station in Pietermaritzburg
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432 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
Nedbank
∑ nedbank.co.za.
Standard Bank
∑ standardbank.co.za
Travelex
Tel 011 486 2145.
∑ travelex.co.za
Bureau de change at OR Tambo international airport, Johannesburg
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M AT I O N 433
for things and to withdraw cash Currency The rand is divided into
from an ATM. As they are not The South African unit 100 cents (c). South African
linked to bank accounts, there is of currency is the rand, currency circulates –
no risk of defrauding main home indicated by the letter “R” usually at face value – in
accounts. This also reduces the before the amount. “Rand” neighbouring Lesotho,
risk of identity theft in the event is short for “Witwatersrand”, Namibia, Swaziland and
of a card being lost or stolen. Gauteng’s gold-bearing reef ). Mozambique.
Banknotes
Banknotes, on which the “Big Five”
wildlife animals are represented on
one side and Nelson Mandela on
the reverse, are issued in R10, R20,
R50, R100 and R200 denominations.
R200 note
R100 note
R50 note
R20 note
R10 note
Coins (actual size)
The 10-cent, 20-cent and 50-cent
coins are a brassy yellow and
have milled edges. The R1, R2
and R5 coins are milled in a
bright, silver colour. The only
older copper-coloured,
smooth-edged coin in
circulation is the 5 cent.
5-cent piece 10-cent piece 20-cent piece
50-cent piece R1 R2 R5
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434 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
DIRECTORY
Operator Assistance
Tel 1023. (Telkom information &
local enquiries)
Tel 10900. (International calls)
Tel 10903. (International enquiries)
Area Codes
Country code 27.
Johannesburg 011.
Pretoria 012.
Cape Town 021.
Durban 031.
Port Elizabeth 041.
Post office in Matjiesfontein, Western Cape
Mobile Phones
can be found on the website. dailies are The Star in Gauteng, Cell C
Opening hours depend on the Cape Argus in the Cape ∑ cellc.co.za
those of the mall, and as such and The Mercury in KwaZulu-
MTN
many are open at weekends. Natal. Arguably, the best
∑ mtn.co.za
weekly newspaper is the
Mail & Guardian, known for its Vodacom
Courier Services hard-hitting reports. ∑ vodacom.co.za
It is advisable to use a courier Other weeklies are The Vodacom Rentals
service to send valuable Sunday Independent and the ∑ vodacomrentals.co.za
items home. Companies such as more populist Sunday Times.
DHL International and FedEx A variety of local and inter- Postal Services
have branches in larger South national magazines is widely
African centres and many small available. Topics include travel, PostNet
Tel 0860 767 8638 (call centre).
towns as well. They will collect sport, wildlife and outdoor life.
∑ postnet.co.za
from anywhere in South Africa, South Africa receives
and deliver parcels, priced per editions of some overseas South African Post Office
kilo, nationally and newspapers (mainly British), as Tel 011 495 0708.
internationally. well as a number of foreign ∑ postoffice.co.za
magazines. All of these are
distributed through selected Courier Services
Newspapers and newsagents, such as the CNA DHL International
Magazines and Exclusive Books chains, or Tel 011 921 3600.
Regional daily newspapers are are placed in upmarket hotels. ∑ dhl.co.za
found in all major cities. Most
FedEx
produce both morning and Tel 087 742 8000.
afternoon papers as well as Television and Radio
∑ fedex.com/za
Saturday and Sunday editions. The South African Broadcasting
There are also several national Corporation (SABC) has four Newspapers and
weekly and bi-weekly tabloids. television channels and a Magazines
The main English-language number of national and regional
radio stations. The main TV Cape Argus
language is English, but local ∑ iol.co.za/capeargus
programming – including news Mail & Guardian
– is produced in several ∑ mg.co.za
languages including Afrikaans The Mercury
and isiZulu – some shows even ∑ iol.co.za/mercury
combine different languages.
British and US programmes The Star
tend to dominate, but there ∑ iol.co.za/the-star
are also good home-grown The Sunday Independent
productions. Local radio stations ∑ iol.co.za/
target specific audiences and sundayindependent
language-groups. Many hotels Sunday Times
and bars subscribe to multi- ∑ timeslive.co.za
Post office sign in Swellendam, on the channel satellite TV, provided by
Garden Route DSTV (Digital Satellite TV).
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436 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
TRAVEL INFORMATION
South Africa, historically a welcome stopover South Africa is in good condition, though the
for seafarers, is well served by air links with accident rate is high. Intercity bus services
most parts of the globe and by road to the operate along the main highways, and the rail
rest of Africa. The national carrier is South network, though slow, covers the country.
African Airways (SAA), but most international Public transport within the cities is fairly
airlines operate regular flights to and from comprehensive and efficient, but in the
here. Domestic destinations are served by smaller towns it is seldom satisfactory, and
SAA and other airlines. The road system in self-drive is often the better option.
~ Cape Town Tel (086) 727-7888 20 km (12 miles) R350 35–50 mins
more than the shuttles. Most go via Europe or the Middle East. Fly-Drive Deals
hotels, guesthouses and some From Australia, New Zealand and Many travel agents and car-
backpackers’ lodges in the larger Asia to Johannesburg the rental firms organize fly-drive
cities will be able to provide options include SAA, Qantas, packages. This is usually cheaper
transport on request. Singapore Airlines, Malaysia (and involves fewer formalities)
Airlines and Cathay Pacific. than renting a car on arrival.
Most major car-rental firms
Customs including Avis, Hertz, Budget and
Current customs legislation Domestic and Regional Europcar have offices at the
allows visitors to bring duty-free Airlines airports (see p441).
goods to the value of R5,000 into There are regular daily flights
the country. Visitors may also connecting the major cities, DIRECTORY
bring in 50 ml of perfume, 2 litres none of which are more than
(3½ pints) of wine, 1 litre (1¾ two hours’ flying time of each Arriving by Air
pints) of spirits, 250 g of tobacco, other. Airlines that serve the
Airports Company
200 cigarettes and 20 cigars. domestic routes are SAA,
South Africa (ACSA)
Lesotho, Swaziland and Kulula (a low-cost subsidiary Tel 011 723 1400.
South Africa are members of of British Airways), Mango ∑ airports.co.za
the Southern African Develop- (SAA’s low-cost airline) and
ment Community, a common Safair. Between them, these Airport Shuttles
customs union, so there are no airlines also offer regional flights
internal customs duties. For between Johannesburg and Citi Hopper
more information, visit the South Harare, Maputo, Windhoek, Arrivals Hall, Cape Town
Africa Revenue Services website Livingstone and Victoria Falls, International Airport.
(www.sars.gov.za). International among other cities in Tel 021 936 3460.
departing passengers are able to neighbouring countries. ∑ citihopper.co.za
claim back the 14% VAT on goods The current price structures King Shaka Airport
bought in South Africa at the are competitive, with return-fare Bus Transport
airports; see page 412 for details. and other attractive specials Tel 031 465 1660.
regularly on offer. In general, ∑ airportbustransport.co.za
the earlier one books, the
International Flights cheaper the fare. Pre-booking King Shaka Airport Shuttle
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo is essential, either directly or Services
International Airport is a major through Computicket (see p415). Arrivals Hall, King Shaka
International Airport.
hub in the southern hemisphere
Tel 031 822 7783.
and almost all large airlines fly
Package Holidays ∑ kingshakashuttles.co.za
there. A few also fly directly to
Cape Town. Options from Europe Package holidays and escorted Magic Transfers
include British Airways, Virgin and tours will appeal to those who do Tel 021 505 6300, Cape Town.
SAA from London, Air France from not want to search for and book Tel 031 263 2647, Durban.
Paris, KLM from Amsterdam and their own flights, and those who Tel 011 548 0800, Johannesburg.
Lufthansa from Frankfurt. Indirect are on a restricted time frame ∑ magictransfers.co.za
flights from Europe include Egypt and want to see as much as Sport Shuttle
Air via Cairo, Kenya Airways via possible. Many begin with an Arrivals Hall, Cape Town
Nairobi, Qatar Airways via Doha international flight into Johannes- International Airport.
and Emirates via Dubai. The only burg or Cape Town and domestic Tel 021 447 4444.
direct flights from the USA are flights then connect destinations ∑ sportshuttle.co.za
with SAA from New York and on the tour such as Kruger,
Delta from Atlanta. Otherwise Sun City, Durban, Port Elizabeth Domestic and
those flying from North America and George. Regional Airlines
Kulula
Tel 011 921 0500.
∑ kulula.com
Mango
Tel 011 086 6100.
∑ flymango.com
Safair
Tel 087 135 1351.
South African Airways (SAA)
Tel 011 978 1111.
∑ flysaa.com
The interior of Cape Town International Airport
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438 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
Long-Distance Buses
Citiliner, Greyhound,
Intercape and Translux
coaches travel to most towns,
and the journeys are safe,
comfortable and affordable.
Greyhound, Intercape and
Translux also run services to
the capital cities in neigh-
bouring countries: Maputo
(Mozambique), Windhoek
(Namibia), Livingstone
(Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe)
and Gaborone (Botswana). The
coaches are modern and air-
conditioned, with on-board
toilets and reclining seats, and
they stop for refreshments. Travelling by train, a lovely way to view South Africa’s landscapes
There are, however, long
distances to cover, and some routes. Services have a poor DIRECTORY
coaches depart or arrive at safety record and vehicles are
inconvenient times. Trips can overcrowded, so they are Trains
be booked via Computicket not recommended.
Gautrain
(see p415), either online or at
Tel 0800 428 87246.
any branch in the country.
The Baz Bus hop-on/hop- City Buses ∑ gautrain.co.za
off system, aimed at budget All South African cities have a Metrorail
travellers, runs between system of public buses. These Tel 011 773 1600.
Cape Town and Durban, and are inexpensive and easy to use. ∑ metrorail.co.za
Durban and Johannesburg, They can accommodate
picking up and dropping off wheelchairs and prams and are Premier Classe
passengers at backpackers’ monitored by security cameras. Tel 011 774 4555.
hostels. Tickets are priced in In Cape Town, bus services are ∑ premierclasse.co.za
segments – Cape Town to Port run by MyCiTi, which also
Shosholoza Meyl
Elizabeth, for example – and operates a service to and from
Tel 0860 008 888.
allow unlimited hop-on/hop- the airport. In Durban, the
∑ shosholozameyl.co.za
offs (but no backtracking) People Mover runs up and
within that segment. This down the beachfront and in a
makes the Baz Bus convenient
Buses
loop around the city centre,
for shorter journeys, especially while in Johannesburg Baz Bus
since buses travel only during Metrobus and Rea Vaya cover ∑ bazbus.com
the day. However, for longer all the metropolitan areas.
journeys, conventional bus Minibus taxis follow the Citiliner
services offer better value. same routes as regular buses ∑ citiliner.co.za
Minibus taxis transport but are driven erratically and Greyhound
workers on some long-distance are not recommended.
∑ greyhound.com
Intercape
∑ intercape.co.za
Metrobus
∑ mbus.co.za
MyCiTi
∑ myciti.org.za
People Mover
∑ muvo.co.za
Rea Vaya
∑ reavaya.org.za
Translux
∑ translux.co.za
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440 SUR VIVAL GUIDE
Fuel
Motor vehicles run on 97
Octane petrol, unleaded petrol
or diesel fuel, and the unit of
liquid measurement is the litre
(0.22 UK gallons or 0.264 US
gallons). Service station
attendants see to refuelling and
other checks such as tyre
pressure, oil, water, and cleaning
Busy interchange of the New Road Bridge and N1 motorway in Gauteng province the front and rear windows.
Due to the vast distances
Car Rental look for competitive rates between towns, especially in
Drivers usually need to be over across all the companies and the arid interior, it is advisable
23 years of age and have a has its own fleet of cars in Cape to refuel in good time, and to
driving licence printed in Town. Depending on the plan regular rest stops.
English with a photograph. planned itinerary, car hire
Your licence must be companies can advise on
carried in the vehicle whether a four-wheel- Parking
at all times. A credit or drive vehicle is needed. Most South African towns and
debit card is essential With prior arrangement, cities have street parking, with
to hire a car. Rates are set and for an extra fee numbered bays painted on the
per day and per required to organize tarmac or at the kerb; check for
kilometre after the Animal and rockfall the paperwork, hire signs posted on a nearby pole.
daily limit, usually warning signs cars can be taken A fee may be paid to a parking
100 km (60 miles). into South Africa’s marshal with a handheld meter.
Alternatively, drivers can neighbouring countries. There are also numerous multi-
choose an unlimited mileage storey car parks and almost all
option for long-distance trips. visitor attractions and shopping
Check the small print for Rules of the Road malls have parking. In unofficial
insurance cover. Most of the Traffic in South Africa drives parking areas such as side
international companies are on the left side of the road. streets, informal parking
represented, including Avis, Except where granted right attendants expect a tip for
Budget, Europcar and Hertz, of way by a sign or by an guarding your car when you
and some equally good local official on duty, yield to traffic leave it.
companies include First Car approaching from your right.
Rental and Tempest Car Hire. It is common courtesy to pull
All have offices at the airports over onto the hard shoulder Breakdown Services
as well as locations in the cities. to let faster traffic pass on In the event of a vehicle break-
Cars can also be arranged the right. When driving through down, pull over onto the
through fly-drive packages (see villages in rural areas, be alert extreme left if possible and
p437). Around About Cars is a for pedestrians and straying activate your hazard lights. The
national agency that is able to livestock. Seat belts are AA Emergency Road Service is
T R AV E L I N F O R M AT I O N 441
Taxis
Taxis in South Africa cannot be
hailed in the street, but there Car hire facilities at Cape Town International Airport
are taxi ranks outside all airports,
bus and railway stations, roads skirting the West Coast numerous entrance gates along
shopping malls and at the are lined with wild flowers the entire length of the park,
major sightseeing attractions. between August and the excellent tarred roads and
Additionally, any hotel or September (see pp220–21). efficient rest camps.
restaurant can call for a cab. All With its verdant forests, In the southeast, history
taxis are metered. By law they ocean-facing mountains and buffs will enjoy touring the
must display a sticker on the great swathes of beaches, the evocative battlefield sites
side of the vehicle showing the Garden Route (see pp238–9) of KwaZulu-Natal (see p278).
price per kilometre. offers one of the most scenic The pretty country resorts
drives from Cape Town. Officially in the foothills of the mighty
it runs for 200 km (124 miles), Drakensberg Mountains
Great Drives from Heidelberg in the west to make for great tours, too.
South Africa’s natural beauty, the Tstsikamma forests in the
spectacular coastline and east, but the full drive from DIRECTORY
game parks make it an ideal Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, in
destination for leisurely self- the Eastern Cape, where there Breakdown Services
driving. Cape Town offers are more parks and reserves to
numerous day trips by road. explore, is 748 km (465 miles). AA Emergency Road Service
The most popular is around Route 62, which runs on inland Tel 0861 000 234 (24 hrs,
the Cape Peninsula (see p154), roads via dramatic mountain all areas).
∑ aa.co.za
a round trip of about 160 km passes and quaint farming
(100 miles) from the city centre, settlements, provides an
with plenty of distractions along alternative route back to
Car Rental
the way, including seal and Cape Town. Around About Cars
penguin colonies and the The Panorama Route (see Tel 021 422 4022.
stunning ocean scenery at Cape p337) follows the escarpments ∑ aroundaboutcars.com
Point. The 137-km (85-mile) adjoining Kruger, and a day’s
coast road to Hermanus (see drive takes in waterfalls, historic Avis
pp226–7) is a great vantage towns and views of the Blyde Tel 0861 021 111.
point for whale-watching from River Canyon. Kruger itself is ∑ avis.co.za
July until November, while the very car-friendly due to the Budget
Tel 011 387 8432.
∑ budget.co.za
Europcar
Tel 0861 131-000.
∑ europcar.co.za
Hertz
Tel 021 935 4800.
∑ hertz.co.za
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442 GENERAL INDEX
General Index
Page numbers in bold refer to Alexandria Hiking Trail 255 Arts and crafts (cont.)
main entries. Alfred, Prince 139 shopping 167, 169, 413
Alfred Basin (Cape Town) 139, 142 Watershed craft market (Cape
1820 Settlers Monument Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth) 252, 253 Town) 166, 169
(Grahamstown) 257 Allemanskraal Dam 377 Zulu 262
Almeida, Dom Francisco d’ 50 see also Museums and galleries
A Aloe Ridge Nature Game Reserve 323 Asians 37
Aardvark 98 Amanzimtoti 293 Athletics 26
Aardwolf 85 Amatola Mountains 365 Atlantic Ocean 211, 223, 229
Abrahams, Peter 33 Ambulances 431 Atlantic Seaboard (Cape Town) 151
Absa Cape Epic 39 Amphibians 106 hotels 384
Accessories shops (Cape Town) 168, Amy Biehl Memorial (Gugulethu) 159 restaurants 399–400
169 Andriesvale 373 ATMs 412, 432
Accommodation 380–91 Angling see Fishing Augrabies Falls National Park 355,
on safari 67 Anglo American 315, 316, 351, 374 368, 372
Adderley Street (Cape Town) 127 Anglo-Zulu War (1879) 262 safaris 69–70, 71
Adders 107 Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre 323 Auob River 373
Addo Elephant National Park Anreith, Anton Australopithecus africanus 47, 48, 49
(Southern Cape) 187, 239, 254 De Kat Balcony (Iziko Castle of Autshumao 51
hotels 387 Good Hope) 51 Autumn 42
itineraries 10, 14, 17 Groot Constantia 160 Auwal Mosque (Cape Town) 132, 133
safaris 69, 70, 71 Groote Kerk (Cape Town) 127, 129 Avondale 207
African crafts shops (Cape Town) Iziko Slave Lodge (Cape Town) 128
167, 169 Lutheran Church (Cape Town) 132 B
African music 172–3, 174, 415 Antelopes 100–105 Baakens River 252
African National Congress (ANC) 26, Antiques shops (Cape Town) 168, 169 Baboons 89
27, 60, 61 Apartheid 24, 26, 47, 58–9 safety 307
African nationalism 58–9 Afrikaans under 33 Bafana Bafana 38
African penguin 143, 154, 156, 215, anti-apartheid movement 60, 159, Bain, Andrew Geddes 223
253 315, 318 Bain, Thomas 223, 231, 234, 235
African wild cat 79 Apartheid Museum Baines, Thomas 131, 365
African wild dog 85 (Johannesburg) 16, 59, 317 Baker, Sir Herbert 147, 163, 325
Afrikaans Language Monument Cape Flats townships 158–9 Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum
(Paarl) 206 District Six Museum (Cape Town) 338
Afrikaners 37 129 Ballet (Cape Town) 172, 174
Afrikaans language 24, 60 end of 23 Ballito 291, 296
apartheid 58 literature under 33 hotels 389
Battlefields tour (KwaZulu-Natal) Soweto 318 restaurants 407
278 Apies River 324 Ballito Pro Presented by Billabong
Bloemfontein 376 Appeal Court (Bloemfontein) 376 43, 265
culture 26 Aquariums Ballooning 417, 421
literature 32–3 Bayworld (Port Elizabeth) 253 Pilanesberg 327
National Museum of Afrikaans Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Banking 432–3
Literature (Bloemfontein) 376 Town) 10, 140, 142, 143 Bantry Bay (Cape Town) 151
nationalism 59 uShaka Marine World 17, 286 Bantu-speakers 24, 25, 36
Agamas 106 Architecture 34–5 literature 32, 33
Agriculture see Farming gable design 161 Banzi Pan 299
Agulhas Bank (Cape Agulhas) 229 Karoo 357 Barberton 309
Agulhas Current 28, 29 Arid Interior 349–77 Barberton Museum 334
Agulhas Lighthouse and Museum Life in the Desert 352–3 Barbet, crested 117
229 map 350–51 Bargaining 412
Agulhas National Park 229 North of the Orange 368–77 Barnard, Lady Anne 53, 130, 162
|Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier The Orange River 354–5 Barnard, Christiaan 60, 162
Park 350, 354 safaris, national parks and wildlife Barnato, Barney 375
safaris 69, 71 reserves 69–70, 71 Bars (Cape Town) 173, 174
Air sports 417, 421 South of the Orange 356–67 Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex
Air travel 436–7 Armstrong, Graham 254 (Mossel Bay) 14, 50, 51, 240–41
Alanglade (Pilgrim’s Rest) 336 Arniston 223, 224, 229 Basotho people 267, 272
Albany Museum Complex Art galleries see Museums & galleries huts 34
(Grahamstown) 17, 256 Arts Alive (Johannesburg) 40 Bats 99
Alcohol Arts and crafts Battery Beach (Durban) 286
on beaches 427 Crocodile Ramble (Gauteng) 323 Battlefields tour (KwaZulu-Natal) 57,
drink-driving 440 Midlands Meander 279 278, 420, 421
see also Beer; Wine Ndebele 324 Bay Harbour Market (Hout Bay)
Alexander Bay 354 Peak Craft Centre (Piggs Peak) 347 152–3, 166, 169
Alexandria 255 Red Shed Craft Workshop (Cape Bayworld (Port Elizabeth) 237, 253
Alexandria Forest 255 Town) 166, 169 Beaches 23
GENERAL INDEX 443
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444 GENERAL INDEX
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446 GENERAL INDEX
Eagle-owl, Verreaux’s 112 Explorers and colonizers (cont.) Food and drink
Earthquake (Tulbagh) 215 see also Dutch East India Company braai (barbecue) 25, 37, 395
East Coast and Interior 29, (VOC) delivery services 393
258–301 Flavours of South Africa 394–5
Durban and Zululand 282–301 F safety 430–31
map 260–61 Fairview 207 scenic rail travel 423
safaris, national parks and wildlife False Bay 137, 156, 157, 223 seafood 214
reserves 68–9, 71 False Bay Nature Reserve 158 shops in Cape Town 167, 169
Wild Coast, Drakensberg and Farming What to Drink in South Africa
Midlands 266–81 Kalahari Desert 353 396–7
East London 270 ostriches 223, 232, 233, 234 what to eat 392–3
airport 436 sugar cane 283, 285, 289 see also Restaurants
hotels 388 Swartland 215 Forests
restaurants 406 wheat 215 closed-canopy forest 72
East London Museum 270 Featherbed Nature Reserve 14, 244 Forestry Museum (Sabie) 334
Eastern Cape 357 Fellows, Revd Fearon 163 indigenous forest 237, 242, 245
Eastern Escarpment 331 Fernkloof Nature Reserve 227 temperate forest 30
Edward VIII, King 292 Festivals 40–43 Forever Resorts Gariep 365
Eerste River 199, 201 Ficksburg, festivals 40 Forever Resorts Swadini (Blyde River
Eland, common 100 Field Guide 75–117 Canyon) 337
Elandslaagte 278 FIFA 2010 World Cup 26, 38, 61, 150, Fort Frederick (Port Elizabeth) 52–3,
Electrical supply 429 286, 319 251, 252
Elephants 77, 90–91 Film see Cinema Fort Selwyn (Grahamstown) 256
Addo Elephant National Park 187, Fire hazards 431 Fossil Trail (Karoo National Park) 360
239, 254 Fire services 431 Four Passes Tour 223, 231, 234–5
Knysna Elephant Park 245 Fire-walking (Durban) 42 Fourth Raadsaal (Bloemfontein) 376
Kruger National Park 302–3, 306, Firefinch, African 116 Foxes
307, 340 First National Bank bat-eared 84, 352
Letaba Elephant Hall 344 (Pietermaritzburg) 280 Cape 84
Tembe Elephant Park 283, 299 First Raadsaal Museum Franklin Nature Reserve 377
Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 136 (Bloemfontein) 376 Franschhoek 13, 204–5
Els, Ernie 39, 200 Fish architecture 35
Embassies 427 coelacanth 270 French heritage 193, 205
Emergencies 431 Linefish of the Western Cape 153 hotels 385
English language, poetry and prose “Sardine Run” 293 Literary Festival 42
33 Fish Hoek 157 restaurants 402
Entertainment 414–15 Fishing Franschhoek Motor Museum 204
art 415 Hermanus 226 Fransie Pienaar Museum (Prince
booking 170, 174, 414, 415 Hout Bay 152 Albert) 231
Cape Town 170–74 Knysna 244 Free entertainment (Cape Town)
children 173, 174 reed fishtraps 283 171, 174
cinema 171, 414 specialist holidays 417, 421 Free State 49, 260, 275, 350, 376
clubs, bars and cafés 173, 174 West Coast 211, 214 Freedom Charter 318, 319
dance 172, 174, 415 FitzPatrick, Sir James Percy 32, 33, 58 French settlers see Huguenots
disabled visitors 170–71 Flamingo Frogs, tree 106
free 171, 174 greater 111 Frontier Wars 47, 52, 53
gaming 415 lesser 216 Eighth 55
information 414 Flora Fifth 257
music 172–3, 174, 414–15 coastal flora 28–9 Fourth 256, 264
open-air 171 Landscapes and Flora of South Seventh 55
opera 172, 174, 415 Africa 30–31 Sixth 54
theatre 172, 174, 414–15 Namaqualand tour 220–21 Fruit
Enthoven, Dick 201 Nieuwoudtville Wildflower citrus 218
Equestrian sports 39 Reserve 221 dried 355
Ernie Els Wines 200 special interest holidays 419, 421 Fuel, motor 440
Eshowe, restaurants 407 Table Mountain 136 Fugard, Athol 252, 361
Ethnic mix 24–5, 36–7 Tienie Versveld Wildflower Reserve Fynbos 23
Etiquette 427 220 Cape Floral Kingdom 30
Evatt, Captain Francis 252 West Coast 211, 213 Garden Route 243, 245, 247,
Evita se Perron (Darling) 172, 174, Western Cape 186 248–9
215 Wildflower Show (Darling) 40 habitat 72
Explorers and colonizers 25, 36–7, see also Parks and gardens Jonkershoek Nature Reserve 199
50–51 Fly-drive deals 437 Kirstenbosch National Botanical
British 47, 52–3, 54–5, 251 Flycatcher, African paradise 117 Garden (Cape Town) 164
Colonial expansion 54–5 Flying Dutchman 155 Southern Cape 226, 227, 230
Dutch 47, 50–51, 54–5, 193, 206 Flying Dutchman Funicular (Cape West Coast 211
Huguenots 193, 202, 204, 205 Point) 154, 155
Muslims 133 FNB Dance Umbrella G
Portuguese 48, 50, 229, 240–41, (Johannesburg) 41 Gabbema, Abraham 206
283 FNB Stadium (Soweto) 319 Gables 161
GENERAL INDEX 447
Galleries see Museums and galleries Game and nature reserves (cont.) Garden Route National Park (cont.)
Game and nature reserves 23, Modjadji Cycad Reserve 339 Wilderness sector 69, 71, 237,
66–71, 77 Ndumo Game Reserve (Kosi Bay) 242–3
accommodation 382, 383 283, 299 Garden Route to Grahamstown
|Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Nieuwoudtville Wildflower 236–57
Park 69, 71, 350, 354 Reserve 221 7 Days on the Garden Route 11, 14
Alexandria Forest 255 Nylsvley Nature Reserve 338 climate 45
Aloe Ridge Nature Game Reserve Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve 290, hotels 387–8
323 293, 294–5 map 238–9
Amakhala Game Reserve 255 Outeniqua Nature Reserve 242 restaurants 404–5
Blyde River Canyon Nature Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve 206 travel 239
Reserve 337 Phinda Private Game Reserve 299 Gardens see Parks and gardens
Cape Columbine Nature Reserve Phopanyane Lodge and Nature Gardiner, Adrian 254
214 Reserve (Swaziland) 346 Gariep Dam 351, 357, 365
Cape Recife 253 Pilanesberg Game Reserve 68, 69, Gariep River 354
Cape St Francis Nature Reserve 247 71, 76, 311, 327 Gat River 361
Cwebe Nature Reserve 271 Pledge Nature Reserve (Knysna) Gauteng and Mpumalanga 302–47
De Hoop Nature Reserve 13, 69, 244 7 Days in Mpumalanga
70, 71, 223, 224, 230 Polokwane Game Reserve 338 Escarpment and Kruger National
Dullstroom Dam Nature Reserve Pongola Game Reserve 77 Park 11, 15
334 Postberg Nature Reserve 216, 217, 21-Day Grand Tour 17
Dwesa Nature Reserve 270 220 Gauteng and Sun City 310–29
False Bay Nature Reserve 158 private game reserves 15, 345 Limpopo, Mpumalanga and
Featherbed Nature Reserve 14, 244 Pumba Private Game Reserve 255 Kruger 330–47
Fernkloof Nature Reserve 227 Robberg Nature Reserve 14, 246 map 304–5
Franklin Nature Reserve 377 Sabi Sands Game Reserve 64, 345 safaris, national parks and wildlife
Gariep Dam 365 Schotia Safaris Private Game reserves 68, 69, 71
Giant’s Castle 269 Reserve 255 Gauteng and Sun City 310–29
Goegap Nature Reserve 69, 70, 71, Shamwari Game Reserve 254–5 climate 45
221 Singita Private Reserve 345 Gauteng tour 322–3
Goukamma Nature Reserve 243 Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve hotels 389–90
Great Fish River Nature Reserve 257 377 map 312–13
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve restaurants 408–10
307 279 travel 313
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve 68, Gay and lesbian travellers 428–9
10, 17, 68, 69, 71, 76, 283, 284, 298 69, 71 Gazankulu 345
iSimangaliso Wetland Park 17, 68, Tembe Elephant Park 69, 71, 283, Geckoes 106
69, 71, 300–301 299 barking 353
Ithala Game Reserve 298–9 Tienie Versveld Wildflower Reserve Geelbek Homestead 216
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve 199 220 Gemsbok (common oryx) 101, 352
Kagga Kamma Private Game Timbavati Game Reserve 345 Genets
Reserve 218 Tswalu Kalahari Reserve 373 blotched 86
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park 69, common 86
246 71, 274–5 Geology
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 68, 69, Ulusaba Private Reserve 345 Cape Peninsula 122
70, 71, 348–9, 352, 370, 373 uMkhuzi Game Reserve 76, 283, 300 Cederberg Wilderness Area 219
Klaseri Private Nature Reserve 345 Umlalazi Nature Reserve 296 George 242
Knysna Elephant Park 245 Umtamvuna Nature Reserve (Port airport 436
Kogelberg Nature Reserve 226 Edward) 270, 290, 292 hotels 387
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve 301 Uvongo River Nature Reserve 292 restaurants 404
Kowie Nature Reserve (Port Alfred) Waterberg 338 George III, King 242, 244
255 Willem Pretorius Game Reserve 377 George V, King 155
Lalibela Game Reserve 255 Woody Cape 255 George VI, King 136
Lion Sands Private Reserve 345 see also Birds; National parks; Georgian architecture 35
Londolozi Private Reserve 345 Wildlife; Zoos Geyser Island 228
Madikwe Game Reserve 68, 69, 71, Gaming 292, 326, 415 Giant’s Castle 269, 274
76, 327 Gandhi, Mahatma 57 Gift shops (Cape Town) 168, 169
Mala Mala Private Reserve 345 Gandhi Square (Johannesburg) 316 Giraffes, Southern 96, 377
Malipati Safari Area (Zimbabwe) statues of 280, 288, 316 Kruger National Park 306, 307, 341
307 Gansbaai 228 Glen Beach (Cape Town) 151
Malolotja Nature Reserve 347 Garden Route 23, 186, 237, 242–9 Glen Reenen Rest Camp 275
Manjinji Pan Sanctuary 7 Days on the Garden Route 11, 14 Go-away bird, grey 115
(Zimbabwe) 307 21-Day Grand Tour 17 God’s Window (Blyde River Canyon)
Manyeleti Game Reserve 345 Garden Route Game Lodge 231 337
Marloth Nature Reserve 231 Garden Route National Park Goedertrou Dam 297
Midmar Dam Nature Reserve itineraries 11, 14, 17 Goegap Nature Reserve 221
(Pietermaritzburg) 281 Knysna sector 71, 237, 244–5 safaris 69, 70, 71
Mkambati Nature Reserve 271 safaris 69, 71 Gold 56–7
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Tsitsikamma sector 69, 71, 184–5, discovery of 311
(Swaziland) 346 237, 248–9 Goldfield Drive (Knysna) 245
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448 GENERAL INDEX
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450 GENERAL INDEX
Louis XIV, King of France 205 Mandela, Nelson (cont.) Maps (cont.)
Louw, Hendrik 206 Mandela House Family Museum road map of South Africa 20–21
Louwsburg 298 (Soweto) 318 Robben Island 146–7
Lower Sabi (Kruger National Park) Old Fort Prison Complex South Africa 18–19
15, 340, 342–3 (Johannesburg) 317 South of the Orange 358–9
Lower Sabi Road (H4-1) 15, 343 release of 26, 47, 60, 61 Southern Cape 224–5
Lowveld 331 Rivonia Trials 321 Soweto 319
Lowveld National Botanical Garden statue 321 Stellenbosch street-by-street
334 Mangroves 31 196–7
Lowveld View (Blyde River Canyon) Mankwe Dam (Pilanesberg) 327 Stellenbosch Winelands 200
337 Manyeleti Game Reserve 345 Swaziland 346–7
Lubombo Mountains 347 Manzini (Swaziland) 346 Table Mountain 136–7
Lukas, Klaas (Korana chief ) 372 Map of Africa (Wilderness) 242 Waterfalls Tour 335
Lutheran Church (Cape Town) 132 Maps West Coast 212–13
Luthuli, Albert 60 Africa 19 West Coast National Park 216–17
Luvuvhu River 344 Africa in 1570 47 Western and Southern Cape
Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum Arid Interior 350–51 186–7
(Khayelitsha) 158–9 Battlefields Tour 278 Wild Coast, Drakensberg and
Lydenburg 334 Bloemfontein 377 Midlands 268–9
Lydenburg Heads 49, 334 Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail 209 Mapungubwe Hill 339
Lydenburg Museum 49, 334 Cape Peninsula 154 Mapungubwe National Park 339
Cape Town: at a glance 120–21 Marakele National Park 338
M Cape Town: City Bowl 125 Marathons 39
McGregor 209 Cape Town: City Centre street-by- Marcus Island 216
McGregor Museum (Kimberley) 49, street 126–7 Margate 292
374 Cape Town: Further Afield 149 Maria Shires Falls 335
MacMac Falls 330, 335 Cape Town: Gardens street-by- Marine reserves 23
Macufe (Mangaung Cultural African street 134–5 Mariner’s Wharf (Hout Bay) 152
Festival) (Bloemfontein) 40 Cape Town: Street Finder 175–83 Market Theatre Complex
Madikwe Game Reserve 76, 327 Cape Town: V&A Waterfront 139 (Johannesburg) 16, 314
safaris 68, 69, 71 Cape Town: V&A Waterfront street- Markets
Magaliesberg 311, 322 by-street 140–41 Bay Harbour Market (Hout Bay)
hotels 390 Cape Town and Environs see inside 152–3, 166, 169
Magazines 435 back cover Cape Town 166–7, 169
listings 170 Cape Winelands 194–5 Church Street Antique Market
Magoebaskloof Haenertsburg Coastline of South Africa 28–9 (Cape Town) 168, 169
Spring Festival 40 Drakensberg range 274–5 Grand Parade flea market (Cape
Magona, Sindiwe 33 Durban 287 Town) 121, 129
Maiden’s Cove (Cape Town) 151 Durban and Zululand 284–5 Greenmarket Square (Cape Town)
Main Street Mall (Johannesburg) Durban’s North and South Coasts 126, 166, 169
316 290–91 Khayelitsha Craft Market 158, 159
Makana Botanical Gardens East Coast and Interior 260–61 Kirstenbosch Craft and Food
(Grahamstown) 256 Four Passes Tour 234–5 Market 166–7, 169
Makobo Constance Modjadji VI 339 Garden Route 238–9 Milnerton Flea Market (Cape
Makuleke (Kruger National Park) Garden Route National Park Town) 166, 169
344 (Tsitsikamma) 248–9 Mzamba Village Market (Port
Mala Mala Private Reserve 345 Gauteng and Mpumalanga 304–5 Edward) 292
Malaria 67, 71, 431 Gauteng and Sun City 312–13 Pan African Market (Cape Town)
Malay culture 133 Gauteng tour 322–3 167, 169
Malay Quarter (Cape Town) see Graaff-Reinet street-by-street 362–3 Red Shed Craft Workshop (Cape
Bo-Kaap Grahamstown 257 Town) 142
Maletsunyate Waterfall 272 habitats 72–3 Victoria Street Market (Durban) 10,
Malgas, Koos 361 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 301 17, 288
Malgas Island 216 itineraries 10–11 Watershed Craft Market (Cape
Malherbe, DF 32 Johannesburg 315 Town) 166, 169
Malls (Cape Town) 166, 169 Kruger National Park 340–41 Marks, Sammy, Sammy Marks
Malmesbury 211, 215 Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Museum (Pretoria) 325
Malolotja Nature Reserve Kruger 332–3 Marloth Nature Reserve (Southern
(Swaziland) 347 Namaqualand Tour 220–21 Cape) 231
Maltese Cross (Cederberg) 218, North of the Orange 370–71 Maropeng Visitor Centre 322
219 Orange River 354–5 Martin Melck House (Cape Town)
Maluti Mountains 272, 275 Paarl Winelands Tour 207 132
Mambas 107 Palace of the Lost City and Sun Martins, Helen 361
Mandela, Nelson 24, 26 City 328 Maseru (Lesotho) 45, 272, 273
becomes president 26, 32, 60, 61 Pietermaritzburg street-by-street Masks 22
Capture Site (Howick) 281 280–81 Mata Mata (Kgalagadi Transfrontier
death 27, 61, 319 Pilgrim’s Rest 336 Park) 373
in hiding 317 Port Elizabeth street-by-street Matisse, Henri 280
imprisonment 60, 139, 146 250–51 Matjiesfontein 423
Long Walk to Freedom 33 Pretoria 325 hotels 387
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452 GENERAL INDEX
Museums and galleries (cont.) Museums and galleries (cont.) National Library (Cape Town) 135
Langa Township Heritage Simon’s Town Museum 156 National Museum (Bloemfontein)
Museum 159 South African Jewish Museum 49, 376
Le Roux Townhouse (Oudtshoorn) (Cape Town) 134, 135 National Museum for Afrikaans
233 South African National Museum of Literature (Bloemfontein) 376
Letaba Elephant Hall 344 Military History (Johannesburg) National Museum of Natural History
Liliesleaf Farm (Johannesburg) 321 317 (Pretoria) 49, 324
Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum Springbok Experience Rugby National parks
(Khayelitsha) 158–9 Museum (Cape Town) 141 accommodation 382, 383
Lydenburg Museum 334 Standard Bank Art Gallery Addo Elephant National Park 69,
McGregor Museum (Kimberley) (Johannesburg) 316 70, 71, 187, 239, 254
49, 374 Stellenbosch Village Museum 13, Agulhas National Park 229
Mandela House Family Museum 197, 198–9 |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier
(Soweto) 318 Talana Museum (Dundee) 57, 278 Park 69, 71, 350, 354
Market Theatre Complex Tatham Art Gallery Augrabies Falls National Park
(Johannesburg) 16, 314 (Pietermaritzburg) 280 69–70, 71, 355, 368, 372
Melrose House (Pretoria) 324, 325 Toy and Miniature Museum Bontebok National Park 69, 70, 71,
Msunduzi Museum Complex (Stellenbosch) 198 231
(Pietermaritzburg) 281 Tzaneen Museum 339 Camdeboo National Park 357, 360
Museum Africa (Johannesburg) Victorian House Museum (Pilgrim’s Garden Route National Park
16, 53, 55, 59, 314 Rest) 336 (Knysna) 237, 244
National English Literary Museum Voortrekker Monument and Garden Route National Park
(Grahamstown) 257 Museum (Pretoria) 59, 325 (Tsitsikamma) 69, 71, 237, 248–9
National Museum (Bloemfontein) William Fehr Collection (Iziko Garden Route National Park
49, 376 Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town) (Wilderness) 69, 71, 237, 242–3
National Museum for Afrikaans 131 Gemsbok National Park
Literature (Bloemfontein) 376 William Humphreys Art Gallery (Botswana) 70
National Museum of Natural (Kimberley) 374 Golden Gate Highlands National
History (Pretoria) 49, 324 Worcester Museum 55, 208, 209 Park 68, 69, 71, 260, 275
National Women’s Memorial and Workers’ Museum and Library Gonarezhou National Park
Anglo-Boer War Museum (Johannesburg) 314 (Zimbabwe) 307
(Bloemfontein) 376 Music 25–6, 415 Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
Natural Science Museum (Durban) Afrikaners 37 307
287 Cape Town 172–3, 174 Hlane Royal National Park 347
Natural Sciences Museum festivals 40, 41, 42, 43 Kalahari Gemsbok National Park 70
(Grahamstown) 256 International Library of African Karoo National Park 69, 71, 357, 360
Observatory Museum Music (Grahamstown) 256 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
(Grahamstown) 256 musical instruments 36 68–71, 348–9, 352, 370, 373
Old Court House Museum shops (Cape Town) 167, 169 Kruger National Park 68–9, 71,
(Durban) 287 Sophiatown 320 74–7, 306–7, 340–45
Old Harbour Open-Air Museum Zulu 263 Limpopo National Park
(Hermanus) 226, 227 Muslims (Cape Malays) 132, 133 (Mozambique) 307
Old Library Museum (Graaff- Muthi (medicines and remedies) Mapungubwe National Park 339
Reinet) 363 297 Marakele National Park 338
Oliewenhuis Art Gallery Mutwa, Credo 32 Mountain Zebra National Park 357,
(Bloemfontein) 376, 377 Mynhardt, Patrick 32 359, 364
Origins Centre (Johannesburg) 314 Mzamba Village Market (Port Namaqua National Park 69, 70, 71,
Outeniqua Transport Museum Edward) 292 216, 220
(George) 242 Mzikaba Gorge 271 Royal Natal National Park 275
Owl House (Nieu-Bethesda) 361 Mzikaba River 271 Table Mountain National Park 69,
Paarl Museum 206 Mzimkhulu River 267 70–71, 154, 155, 156
Pilgrim’s & Sabie News Museum Mzinene River 299 West Coast National Park 210, 213,
(Pilgrim’s Rest) 336 216–17
Port Natal Maritime Museum N see also Game and nature reserves;
(Durban) 288 Namaqua National Park 220 Safaris
Prince Albert Gallery (Prince safaris 69, 70, 71 National Party (NP) 58, 59
Albert) 231 Namaqualand 23, 211 National Women’s Memorial and
Rhenish Complex (Stellenbosch) landscape 30 Anglo-Boer War Museum
198 map 220–21 (Bloemfontein) 376
Rhodes Cottage (Muizenberg) 157 tour by car 220–21 National Zoological Gardens
Rock Art Centre (Didima Resort) 275 Namib desert 30, 211 (Pretoria) 324
Rorke’s Drift 278 Namibia 60, 352 Natives Act (1952) 58
SAB World of Beer (Johannesburg) Natal, Rio de (Christmas River) 283 Natural Science Museum (Durban)
314–15 Natal Colony 55, 56, 267, 287, 289 287
Sammy Marks Museum (Pretoria) Natalia 54 Natural Sciences Museum
325 National Arts Festival (Grahamstown) 256
Sasol Art Museum (Stellenbosch) (Grahamstown) 43, 257 Nature reserves see Game and
199 National Choir Festival (Durban) 40 nature reserves
Shipwreck Museum (Bredasdorp) National English Literary Museum Nature’s Valley 14, 71, 238, 247, 248
228 (Grahamstown) 257 Naude, Hugo 208
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454 GENERAL INDEX
Parks and gardens (cont.) Poetry, struggle 33 Punda Maria (Kruger National Park)
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Police 430, 431 15, 344
Garden 322 Political prisoners 146 Pythons, African rock 107
see also Game and nature reserves; Politics 26–7
National parks; Theme parks Polokwane 338 Q
Parliament Buildings festivals 42 Qolora Mouth, hotels 388
Cape Town 135 Polokwane Game Reserve 338 Quagga 77, 357
Pietermaritzburg 280 Pongola Game Reserve 77 Queen’s Fort (Bloemfontein) 376
Pass books 58 hotels 389 Quiver trees 368
Passports 426 Pongolo River 299 Quthing 273
Paternoster 214 Pony, Basotho 273
Paton, Alan 33 Pony-trekking 418–19, 421 R
Peak Craft Centre (Piggs Peak) 347 Porcupine, Cape 98 Raadsaal (Pretoria) 324
Pearson, Harold 164 Port Alfred 255 Radio 435
Pearson, Henry 252 hotels 388 Raffia palms 296
Pearson Conservatory (Port Port Edward 290, 292 Rail travel 438–9
Elizabeth) 252 hotels 389 long-distance trains 438
Pelicans, great white 111, 216 restaurants 407 luxury trains 438
Pella Mission 355 Port Elizabeth 14, 187, 237, 250–53 scenic 422–3
Penguin, African 143, 215, 253 airport 436 suburban trains 438
Boulders Penguin Colony 154, 156 festivals 41 Ramonza-Seal Island Trips (Mossel
Penny, Sarah 33 hotels 388 Bay) 241
People 24–5, 36–7 restaurants 405 Ramsgate, restaurants 408
Perold, Abraham 188 street-by-street 250–51 Rand Show (Johannesburg) 42
Petrol 440 Port Elizabeth Opera House 251, 252 Ratanga Junction 163
Phillips, Lady Florence 128, 201 Port Natal Maritime Museum Raudner, Hannes 289
Phinda Private Game Reserve 299 (Durban) 288 Red Shed Craft Workshop (Cape
Phongolo River 299 Port St Johns Town) 142, 166, 169
Phopanyane Lodge and Nature hotels 388 Reedbuck 105
Reserve (Swaziland) 346 restaurants 406 Regina Mundi Church (Soweto)
Picasso, Pablo 280 Porter, Harold 226 318–19
Pienaar, Francois 26 Portrait of a Lady (Hals) 128 Reinet, Hester Cornelia 362
Pietermaritzburg 261, 269, 280–81 Portuguese explorers 48, 50, 229, Reinet House (Graaff-Reinet) 363
festivals 42, 43 283 Reitz, Frederick 376
hotels 388 Bartolomeu Dias Museum Religion 25
restaurants 406 Complex (Mossel Bay) 240–41 Rembrandt 128
street-by-street 280–81 Postal services 434–5 Reptiles 106–9
Pieters, Hermanus 226 Postberg Nature Reserve 216, 217, Republic of South Africa 60
Pieterson, Hector 318 220 Restaurants 392–411
Piggs Peak (Swaziland) 347 Potgieter, Andries 338 Cape Town 398–401
Pilanesberg Game Reserve 76, 311, Potgieter, Hendrik 337 Cape Winelands 402–3
327 Predators and prey 87 children in 393
hotels 390 Prehistoric man 47, 48–9 delivery services 393
safaris 68, 69, 71 Preller, Gustav 32 dress code 393, 427
Pilgrim’s & Sabie News Museum Pretoria 311, 313, 324–5 Durban and Zululand 407–8
(Pilgrim’s Rest) 336 hotels 390 eating patterns 392
Pilgrim’s Creek 336 map 325 Flavours of South Africa 394–5
Pilgrim’s Rest 305, 331, 332, 336 restaurants 409–10 Garden Route to Grahamstown
gold rush 56, 308, 336 Pretorius, Andries 324 404–5
hotels 391 Pretorius, Marthinus 324 Gauteng and Sun City 408–10
itineraries 11, 15 Pretorius, Major Philip 254 Johannesburg 408–9
map 336 Pretoriuskop (Kruger National Park) Limpopo, Mpumalanga and
Pink Loerie Mardi Gras (Knysna) 42, 342 Kruger 410–11
428, 429 Prices North of the Orange 411
The Pinnacle (Blyde River Canyon) accommodation 380, 383 prices and tipping 392
337 restaurants 392 scenic rail travel 423
Pinotage Association 189 Prickly Pear Festival (Uitenhage) 41 skerms (open-air restaurants) 214
Pinotage wine-making 188–9 Primates 88–9 smoking in 393
Plaatjie, Sol 32 Prince Albert 231, 235 South of the Orange 411
Planetarium (Cape Town) 134, 135, Agricultural Show 40 Southern Cape 403–4
173, 174 Olive, Food & Wine Festival 42 West Coast 403–4
Plantations, sugar cane 283, 289 Prince Albert Gallery 231 What to Drink in South Africa
Platteklip Gorge (Table Mountain) Prison (Robben Island) 147 396–7
136 Private game reserves 15, 345 what to eat 392–3
Player, Gary 39, 326 see also Game and nature reserves wheelchair access 393
Playhouse (Durban) 287 Proteas 31 Wild Coast, Drakensberg and
Pledge Nature Reserve (Knysna) 244 snow 218 Midlands 406–7
Plettenberg Bay 14, 237, 246–7 Public holidays 43 wine choices 393
hotels 387–8 Public toilets 429 see also Food and drink
restaurants 405 Puff adder 107, 353 Retief, Piet 54, 55
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456 GENERAL INDEX
Shopping (cont.) South African Institute for Aquatic Springbok Experience Rugby
Cape Town 166–9 Biodiversity (Grahamstown) 256 Museum (Cape Town) 141
how to pay 412 South African Jewish Museum Springboks 104, 360, 373
Oom Samie se Winkel (Cape Town) 134, 135 Springhares 99
(Stellenbosch) 196, 198 South African Museum and Standard Bank Gallery
opening hours 166, 412 Planetarium (Cape Town) see Iziko (Johannesburg) 316
refunds 412 South African Museum and Standard Bank Building (Cape Town)
shipping packages 413 Planetarium 127
Value Added Tax 412 South African National Gallery Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
where to shop 412–13 (Cape Town) see Iziko South (Johannesburg) 43
Shrike, fiscal 117 African National Gallery Stanford 227
Sibaya, Lake 301 South African National Museum of restaurants 404
Signal Hill (Cape Town) 118–19, 120, Military History (Johannesburg) Starling, Cape glossy 117
123, 133, 150 317 State Mint (Pretoria) 309
Simon’s Town 13, 154, 156 South African Native National Steen, Jan 128
hotels 385 Congress (now ANC) 58 Steenbok 105
restaurants 400–401 South African Natural Heritage Stellenbosch 13, 17, 193, 196–200
Simon’s Town Museum 156 Programme 146 architecture 35
Singita Private Reserve 345 South African Open 39 festivals 41
Sir Lowry’s Pass 223 South African State Theatre hotels 386
Sishen 211 (Pretoria) 324 restaurants 403
Sisulu, Walter 61, 319, 321 South African War 56–7, 279, 324 Stellenbosch Winelands 200
Skerms (open-air restaurants) 214 Battlefields Tour 278 street-by-street 196–7
Skinks 106 Memorial (Graaff-Reinet) 362 wine-making 188, 192
Skotnes, Cecil 363, 376 National Women’s Memorial and Stellenbosch University Botanical
Skukuza (Kruger National Park) 15, Anglo-Boer War Museum Garden 199
336, 342 (Bloemfontein) 376 Stellenbosch Village Museum 13,
Slagter’s Nek rebellion (1815) 53 South Coast (Durban and Zululand) 197, 198–9
Slangkop Lighthouse (Kommetjie) 292–3 Sterkfontein, restaurants 410
154 South Deep Mine (Mpumalunga) Sterkfontein Caves 16, 47, 48, 49,
Slater, Kelly 265 308–9 322
Slaves South of the Orange 356–67 Stern, Irma 363
Cape Malay 133 climate 44 Irma Stern Museum (Cape Town)
emancipation of 54 hotels 391 162–3
houses (Stellenbosch) 196 map 358–9 Stings 431
Iziko Slave Lodge (Cape Town) 12, restaurants 411 Stories, traditional African 32
51, 59, 126, 128 travel 359 Storks, Marabou 110
Small, Adam 32 Southern African Tourism Services Storms River Bridge 249
Smith, Professor JLB 270 Association (SATSA) 66, 71 Storms River Mouth 11, 14, 237, 249
Smith, Jordy 264 Southern Cape 222–35 hotels 388
Smith, Pauline 32–3 climate 44 The Story of an African Farm
Smith, Wilbur 33 hotels 386–7 (Schreiner) 33, 364
Smoking 427 map 224–5 Stretch, Captain Charles 363
in restaurants 393 restaurants 403–4 Stretch’s Court (Graaff-Reinet) 362,
Smuts, General Jan Christiaan 57 travel 224 363
South African National Museum of Southern Sun Cape Sun on Strand Struggle poetry 33
Military History (Johannesburg) 317 Street (Cape Town) 127 Student travellers 429
Snakes 107 Soweto 16, 318–19, 320 Stumpnose, white 153
safety 431 map 319 Subtropical coastal belt 31
Sneeuberg 218, 361 restaurants 410 Succulents 30
Snoek 153 Uprising (1976) 60, 318 Sudwala Caves 49, 334
Snow, in Lesotho 272 Spandau Kop (Graaff-Reinet) 363, Sugar industry 283, 285, 289
Soccer 26, 38, 419, 421 366–7 Sugarbird, Cape 114
Society 24–5 Spear, F 135 Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve,
Sodwana Bay 300–301 Special interest holidays 416–23 safaris 68, 69, 71
Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve 377 Spectator sports 419, 421 Summer 41
Somerset, Lord Charles 157, 208 Speed limit 440 Sun, safety 431
Somerset West Spiders 431 Sun City 304, 311, 326
Festival of Lights 41 Spier Wine Estate 194, 200, 201 Palace of the Lost City 328–9
hotels 386 Spioenkop, Battle of 279 restaurants 410
restaurants 402–3 Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve Sunbird, malachite 116
Sontuli River 298 279 Suncoast Casino and Entertainment
Soofi, Goolam Muhamed 137 Spioenkop Mountain 279 World (Durban) 286
Sophiatown (Johannesburg) 318, Splashy Fen Music Festival Sundays River 363
320 (KwaZulu-Natal) 42 Suni 104
Sotho people, crafts 36 Sport 26, 38–9, 416–19, 421 Sunland Baobab 339
South African Astronomical Durban’s Surfing Scene 264–5 Surfing 39, 43, 418, 421
Observatory 163 events 40–43 Durban’s Surfing Scene 264–5
South African Breweries (SAB) 325 spectator 419, 421 Jeffreys Bay 247
South African Golf Tour 39 Spring 40 lingo 265
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458 GENERAL INDEX
Swadini (Blyde River Canyon) 337 Thibault, Louis Michel Travel (cont.)
Swan, JM 163 Cloete Wine Cellar (Groot Gauteng and Sun City 313
Swart, Charles Robberts 59 Constantia) 160 Limpopo, Mpumalanga and
Swartberg Mountains 223, 232, Drostdy (Graaff-Reinet) 363 Kruger 333
234 Huguenot Memorial Museum North of the Orange 371
Swartberg Pass 231, 235, 356 (Franschhoek) 205 rail 422–3, 438–9
Swartland (West Coast) 211, 215 Iziko Koopmans-De Wet House road 440–41
Swartland Wine & Olive Route 215 (Cape Town) 132 safety advice 426, 427
Swartvlei (Wilderness) 242 Iziko Slave Lodge (Johannesburg) South of the Orange 359
Swaziland 346–7 128 Southern Cape 224
climate 45 Three Rondavels (Blyde River West Coast 212
hotels 391 Canyon) 11, 15, 337 Wild Coast, Drakensberg and
map 346–7 Thrush, olive 117 Midlands 269
restaurants 411 Tickets, entertainment 170, 174, Treur River 305, 337
Swellendam 230–31 414, 415 Triomf (Johannesburg) 320
hotels 387 Tienie Versveld Wildflower Reserve Trull, Michael 204
restaurants 404 220 Truth and Reconciliation
Timbavati Game Reserve 345 Commission (TRC) 33, 61
T hotels 391 Tsamma melon 352
Table Bay (Cape Town) 47, 139, 214 Timbavati River 343 Tsessebe 102
Table Bay Hotel (Cape Town) 141 Timberlake Farm Village Tshokwane (Kruger National Park)
Table Mountain 12, 120, 125, 136–7, (Wilderness) 243 343
214 Time zones 429 Tshwane 324
map 136–7 Tipping Tsikoane Mission (Hlotse) 273
“tablecloth” 122 parking 440 Tsitsikamma Mountains 237
tips for walkers 137 in restaurants 392 Tsitsikamma sector (Garden Route
Table Mountain National Park Toilets, public 429 National Park) 184–5, 237, 248–9
Cape of Good Hope sector 154, Tokai hotels 388
155, 156 hotels 385 map 248–9
safaris 69, 70–71 restaurants 401 safaris 69, 71
Tafelberg Road (Cape Town) 137 Tokara 201 Tsitsikamma Trail 248, 249
Talana Museum (Dundee) 57, Tolkien, J R R 365 Tswalu Kalahari Reserve 373
278 Top of Africa (Johannesburg) 16, 316 Tswana, crafts 36
Tanda Tula Lodge (Timbavati) 345 Topless sunbathing 427 Tugela River 262, 267, 275, 283
Tatham Art Gallery Tortoises 108 Tuinhuys (Cape Town) 135
(Pietermaritzburg) 280 Totius (Jacob Daniël du Toit) 32 Die Tuishuise (Cradock) 364
Taung (Bloemfontein) 47, 48 Tour operators, safari 71 Tulbagh 215
Taxes, VAT 412, 413 Tourist information 426, 427 hotels 386
Taxis 441 Tourist offices 427 Tulbagh, Rijk 52
to/from airport 436–7 Tours Turtles 109
Tea, rooibos 218, 394 safari 66, 71 leatherback 300
Telephones 434, 435 township and cultural 420, 421 loggerhead 300
Television 435 see also Itineraries Tutu, Archbishop Desmond 60, 61,
Tembe Elephant Park 283, 299 Tours by car 318
safaris 69, 71 Battlefields 278 Twee Rivieren (Kgalagadi
Teniers, David the Younger 128 Cape Peninsula 154 Transfrontier Park) 373
Termites 73 Four Passes 234–5 Tweedie, restaurants 406
Tern, Caspian 147 Gauteng 322–3 Tweetoringkerk (Bloemfontein) 376
Terrapins 109 great drives 441 Twelve Apostles (Camps Bay) 151
Teyateyaneng (Lesotho) 272 Namaqualand 220–21 Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town)
Thaba Bosiu 273 Paarl Winelands 207 10, 12, 140, 142
Thaba Nchu 369 Stellenbosch Winelands 200 exhibits at 143
Thaba-Putsoa Mountains (Lesotho) Waterfalls 335 Two Oceans Marathon 39, 42
272 Touws River 242 Tzaneen 339
Theatre 414–15 Townships hotels 391
Cape Town 172, 174 Cape Flats 158–9
Market Theatre Complex Soweto 318–19 U
(Johannesburg) 16, 314 tours 318, 420, 421 Uitenhage 252
open-air 171 Toy and Miniature Museum festivals 41
South African State Theatre (Stellenbosch) 198 Uitkyk (Nieu-Bethesda) 361
(Pretoria) 324 Trains see Rail travel uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park 269,
Theft 430 Transkei 267, 292 274–5
Thelema 200 Transvaal Republic 54, 55, 56, 57, 311 safaris 69, 71
Theme parks Travel 436–41 Ultra-marathons 39
Gold Reef City (Johannesburg) 16, air 436–7 Ulusaba Private Reserve 345
312, 321 bus 439 Umgeni River Estuary 29
Ratanga Junction 163 Cape Winelands 195 Umgeni River Bird Park (Durban)
Shakaland 10, 17, 297 Durban and Zululand 285 289, 291
Thendele Resort (Royal Natal Garden Route to Grahamstown Umhlanga (Durban) 291, 296
National Park) 275 239 hotels 389
GENERAL INDEX 459
Umhlanga (Durban) (cont.) Van Plettenberg, Baron Joachim Walking and hiking (cont.)
restaurants 408 156, 361 Kranshoek Trail (Knysna) 245
uMkhuze Game Reserve 76, 300 Van Riebeeck, Jan Otter Trail 248, 249
Umlalazi Nature Reserve 296 arrival at the Cape 50–51 Outeniqua Trail (George to
Umlani Bush Camp (Timbavati) 345 Company’s Garden Knysna) 242
Umngazi Mouth 271 (Johannesburg) 134 Table Mountain 137
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve 270, Grand Parade (Cape Town) 129 Tsitsikamma Trail 248, 249
290, 292 Green Point (Cape Town) 150 Walter Sisulu National Botanical
Umtamvuna River Gorge 292 Hout Bay 152 Garden 322
Umuzi (Zulu kraal) 263 Iziko Castle of Good Hope (Cape Walter Sisulu Square (Soweto) 319
Umzimkulwana River 292, 293 Town) 121, 130 War Memorial (Graaff-Reinet) 362
Underberg, restaurants 407 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Warden, Major Henry 376
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Garden (Cape Town) 164 Warthogs, common 99
iSimangaliso Wetland Park 300–301 Robben Island 147 Washkansky, Louis 163
Mapungubwe 339 Van Ryn, Jan 199 Water, drinking 430
Robben Island 12, 146–7 Van Ryn’s Brandy Cellar Water sports 39, 418, 421
Sterkfontein Caves 16, 322 (Stellenbosch) 199 Langbaan 217
Swartberg Pass 356 Van Wouw, Anton 324 Waterberg 338
uKhahlamba-Drakensburg Park Van Wyk, Jan 206 Waterbucks, common 101
274–5 Van Zyl, Jacobus 235 Waterfalls
Union Buildings (Pretoria) 313, 325 Vanrhynsdorp 221 Augrabies Falls 355, 372
Union of South Africa 58 Vegkop, Battle of 54 Berlin Falls 335
United Nations Security Council 60 Velddrif, hotels 387 Bridal Veil Waterfall (Augrabies)
University of Witwatersrand Venda 36 372
(Johannesburg) 314 Vereenigde Oost-Indische Bridal Veil Waterfall (Drakensberg)
Up the Creek (Breede River, near Compagnie see Dutch East India 335
Swellendam) 41 Company Horseshoe Falls (Drakensberg)
Upington 350, 355, 369, 372 Vereeniging, Treaty of 56, 324 335
festivals 40 Vergelegen 13, 201 Horseshoe Falls (Wild Coast) 271
hotels 391 Vervet monkeys 77, 88 Howick Falls 281
restaurants 411 Verwoerd, Hendrik Frensch 365 Kadishi Falls (Swadini) 337
uShaka Marine World 17, 286 apartheid 58, 59 Lisbon Falls 335
Utshwala (beer) 262 assassination 60 Lone Creek Falls 335
Uvongo 292 Victor Verster Prison (Paarl) 26, 61 MacMac Falls 330, 335
Uvongo River Nature Reserve 292 Victoria, Queen 139 Maletsunyate Waterfall 272
Uys, Pieter-Dirk 215 Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (Cape Maria Shires Falls 335
Town) see V&A Waterfront Oakes Falls (near Greyton) 209
V Victoria Basin (Cape Town) 139, Panorama Gorge 337
V&A Waterfront (Cape Town) 12, 13, 142 Samango Falls 290
138–47, 166, 169 Victoria Embankment (Durban) 288 Waterfalls Tour 15, 335
entertainment 171, 174 Victoria Street Market (Durban) 10, Witpoortje Falls 322
hotels 384 17, 288 Waterfront (Cape Town) see V&A
map 139 Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre Waterfront
restaurants 399 (Cape Town) 121, 141 Waterfront Company 139
street-by-street 140–41 Victorian architecture 35 Waterholes 76–7
V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre Victorian House Museum (Pilgrim’s Watershed Craft Market (Cape
(Cape Town) 141, 171, 174 Rest) 336 Town) 166, 169
Vaal River 54 Vilakazi, BW 32 Watts, George Frederic 163
Vale, William 324 Vioolsdrift 354 Weapons, Zulu 263
Valley of Desolation (Camdeboo Vipers 107 Weasels, striped 86
National Park) 360 Visas 426 Weather 44–5
Valley of the Waves (Sun City) 313, Vixseboxse, JE 233 safaris 66
326, 329 VOC see Dutch East India Company Weaver, masked 116
Value Added Tax (VAT) 412, 413 VOC Kruithuis (Stellenbosch) 196 Weaving 36
Van Aelst, Willem 128 Volsteedt, Samie 198 Weights and measures 429
Van de Graaff, Governor Cornelis Voor Sneeuberg 361 Wells, Michael 346
Jacob 362 Voortrekkers (Boer pioneers) 54–5, West Coast 210–21
Van der Decken, Hendrick 155 281, 311, 369 climate 44
Van der Post, Sir Laurens 32, 33, 373 Voortrekker Monument and hotels 386–7
Van der Stel, Simon 134 Museum (Pretoria) 59, 325 map 212–13
Boschendal Manor House 202 Vredenburg 214 restaurants 403–4
Groot Constantia 160 Vulture, lappet-faced 112 travel 212
Simon’s Town 156 Vygies 221, 357 The West Coast 214
Stellenbosch 193 West Coast National Park 210, 213,
Van der Stel, Willem Adriaan W 216–17
Groote Kerk (Cape Town) 129 Wagtail, Cape 116 Western Deep gold mine 314
Tulbagh 215 Walking and hiking 416, 421 Western and Southern Cape
Vergelegen 201 Alexandria Hiking Trail 255 184–257
Van Dyck, Anthony 128 Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail 209 10 Days in the Western Cape 10,
Van Hunks, Jan 122 Cederberg Wilderness Area 219 12–13
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460 GENERAL INDEX
Western and Southern Cape (cont.) Wildlife (cont.) Workers’ Museum and Library
architecture 35 Monkeyland (near Plettenburg) (Johannesburg) 314
Cape Winelands 192–209 246, 247 World of Birds (Hout Bay) 153
Garden Route to Grahamstown Operation Genesis (Pilanesberg) World Cup (rugby) 26, 61, 162
236–57 327 World War I 58
map 186–7 poisonous bites and stings 431 Memorial (Worcester) 208
safaris, national parks and wildlife predators and prey 87 World War II 156
reserves 69, 70–71 safari experience 65–71 World’s End (Blyde River Canyon) 337
Southern Cape 222–35 safaris, national parks and wildlife WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
West Coast 210–21 reserves 68–71 227
Wetlands 23, 73 Sharks of the Indian Ocean Coast
De Hoop Nature Reserve 230 291 X
Garden Route National Park special interest holidays 419, 421 Xhosa-speaking people 53, 55, 267,
(Knysna sector) 237 Table Mountain 136 270
Garden Route National Park whale-watching 190–91, 222, crafts 36
(Wilderness) 242–3 223, 227, 419 huts 34
iSimangaliso Wetland Park 73, 261, wildlife heritage 76–7
300–301 see also Aquariums; Birds; Game Y
Orange River Estuary 354 and nature reserves; National Yellowtail 153
West Coast National Park 216–17 parks; Zoos Yellowwood trees 248, 255
Whales Wilgeboom Valley (Mountain Zebra Youlden, Betty 226
humpback 191 National Park) 364 Youth hostels 382
Old Harbour Open-Air Museum Willem Pretorius Game Reserve 377 Yusuf, Sheik 51
(Hermanus) 226, 227 William, Prince of Orange 131, 365 Yzerfontein 214
southern right 28, 190–91, 223 William Fehr Collection (Cape Town) restaurants 404
Whale Festival (Hermanus) 40 131
whale-watching 190–91, 222, William Humphreys Art Gallery Z
223, 227, 419 (Kimberley) 374 Zebras
whaling 191 Windmills 353, 373 Kruger National Park 306, 307, 340,
Wheelchair access see Disabled Windsurfing 418 343
travellers Langebaan 217 mountain 97, 357, 364
White River Wine plains (Burchell’s) 97, 284
hotels 391 Cape Winelands 193 Zimbabwe 339
restaurants 411 Franschhoek Wine Route 204, 205 Zionist Church gathering
Whitehead, Joseph 252 Groot Constantia 160–61 (Pietersburg) 42
Widow, long-tailed 115 Haute Cabrière Estate Zoos
Wild Coast 260, 267, 270–71 (Franschhoek) 13, 204 Johannesburg Zoo 317
Wild Coast, Drakensberg and Hermanus Wine Route 227 National Zoological Gardens
Midlands 266–81 Orange River Cellars (Upington) 372 (Pretoria) 324
climate 45 Paarl Winelands 206, 207 see also Aquariums; Game and
hotels 388–9 Pinotage wine-making 188–9 nature reserves; Wildlife
map 268–9 in restaurants 393 Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek 309
restaurants 406–7 shops in Cape Town 167, 169 Zululand see Durban and Zululand
travel 269 Spier Wine Estate 201 Zulus
Wild dog 307 Stellenbosch Winelands 200 army 283
Wildebeest 103 Swartland Wine & Olive Route 215 Battle of Isandhlwana 56–7
Wilderness (Garden Route National Tokara 201 Battlefields Tour 278
Park) 14, 69, 71, 237, 242–3 Vergelegen 13, 201 beehive huts 262
hotels 388 What to Drink in South Africa choral singing 25
restaurants 405 396–7 colonial expansion 54–5
Wildflower Show (Darling) 40 Worcester Wine & Olive Route 208 crafts 36, 262
Wildlife 62–117 Winter 43 culture 262–3
Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre 323 Winterhoek Mountains 215 Gooderson Dumazulu Lodge and
Bird Island (Lamberts Bay) 215 Winterton 275 Traditional Village 296–7
Cango Wildlife Ranch 232 hotels 389 kingdom 267
Chimp Eden 334 restaurants 407 kraals 263
coastal wildlife 28–9 Witwatersrand 311 Shakaland 297
Croc World (Scottburgh) 290 Witzenberg Mountains 215 traditional dancing 263
Crocodile Farm (St Lucia) 300 Wocke, Richard 376 traditional healing 297
desert 352–3 Wolfberg Arch (Cederberg) 212, weapons 53
endangered 77 218, 219 Zuma, Jacob 27, 61
field guide 75–117 Wolfberg Cracks (Cederberg) 218, Zuurberg Mountains 254
Garden Route 237 219 Zwi, Rose 33
Garden Route Game Lodge 231 Women travellers 428, 429
habitats 72–3 Wonderview (Blyde River Canyon)
Heia Safari Ranch (Gauteng) 323 337
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary (near Woody Cape 255
Plettenburg) 246, 247 Worcester 208
Kwena Gardens (Sun City) 327 Worcester, Marquis of 208
Lion Park (Gauteng) 16, 323 Worcester Museum 55, 208, 209
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 461
Acknowledgments
Dorling Kindersley would like to thank the following Additional Cartography Genené Hart, Eloïse Moss.
people whose contributions and assistance have made Research Assistance Susan Alexander, Sandy Vahl.
the preparation of this book possible. Additional Picture Research Rachel Barber, Phoebe
Lowndes, Ellen Root.
Main Contributors Factcheckers Ariadne Van Zandbergen, Lizzie Williams.
Michael Brett has visited many African countries, Proofreader Debra Wolter.
including Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Indexer Helen Peters.
Mozambique, and has an extensive knowledge of South
Africa. His first book, a detailed guide to the Pilanesberg Revisions Team
National Park in North West Province, South Africa, was Louise Abbott, Beverley Ager, Hansa Babra, Claire
published in 1989. In 1996, he co-authored the Touring Baranowski, Chris Barstow/Coppermill Books, Uma
Atlas of South Africa. He has written Great Game Parks of Bhattacharya, Hilary Bird, Subhadeep Biswas, Arwen
Africa: Masai Mara and Kenya the Beautiful. Articles by Burnett, Caroline Elliker, Alice Fewery, Emer Fitzgerald,
Michael Brett have been published in several travel Sean Fraser, Anna Freiberger, Camilla Gersh, Thea
magazines, as well as in Reader’s Digest. Grobbelaar, Freddy Hamilton, Vinod Harish, Mohammad
Philip Briggs is a travel writer specializing in Africa. In Hassan, Lesley Hay-Whitton, Victoria Heyworth-Dunne,
1991, his Bradt Guide to South Africa was the first such Jacky Jackson, Cincy Jose, Vasneet Kaur, Juliet Kenny,
guidebook to be published internationally after the Sumita Khatwani, Vincent Kurien, Maite Lantaron,
release of Nelson Mandela. Over the rest of the 1990s, Alfred Lemaitre, Carly Madden, Alison McGill, Glynne
he wrote a series of pioneering Bradt Guides including Newlands, Catherine Palmi, Marianne Petrou, Rada
the first dedicated guidebooks to Tanzania, Uganda, Radojicic, John Reeks, Marisa Renzullo, Gerhardt van
Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Rwanda. Rooyen, Sands Publishing Solutions, Mitzi Scheepers,
He also contributes to specialist travel and wildlife Ankita Sharma, Azeem Siddiqui, Susana Smith, Conrad
magazines including Africa Birds & Birding, Africa Van Dyk, Laura Walker, Lizzie Williams.
Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Travel Africa and Wanderlust.
Brian Johnson-Barker was born and educated in Cape Special Assistance
Town, South Africa. After graduating from the University Joan Armstrong, The Howick Publicity Bureau; Coen
of Cape Town and running a clinical pathology laboratory Bessinger, Die Kaapse Tafel; Tim Bowdell, Port Elizabeth City
for some 15 years, he turned to writing. His considerable Council; Dr Joyce Brain, Durban; Katherine Brooks,
involvement in this field has also extended to television MuseuMAfrikA (Johannesburg ); Michael Coke, Durban;
scripts and magazine articles. Among his nearly 50 book Coleen de Villiers and Gail Linnow, South African Weather
titles are Off the Beaten Track (1996) and Illustrated Guide to Bureau; Dr Trevor Dearlove, South African Parks Board;
Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa (1997), Louis Eksteen, Voortrekker Museum (Pietermaritzburg);
both published by Reader’s Digest. Lindsay Hooper, South African Museum (Cape Town); Brian
Mariëlle Renssen wrote for South African general- Jackson, The National Monuments Commission; Linda
interest magazine Fair Lady before spending two years in Labuschagne, Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex (Mossel
New York with Young & Modern, a teenage publication Bay); Darden Lotz, Cape Town; Tim Maggs, Cape Town;
owned by the Bertelsmann publishing group. After Hector Mbau, The Africa Café; Annette Miller, Bredasdorp
returning to South Africa, several of her articles were Tourism; Gayla Naicker and Gerhart Richter, Perima’s;
published in magazines such as Food and Home SA and Professor John Parkington, University of Cape Town; Anton
Woman’s Value. Since 1995 she has been the publishing Pauw, Cape Town; David Philips Publisher (Pty) Ltd, Cape
manager of Struik Publishers’ International Division, Town; Bev Prinsloo, Palace of the Lost City; Professor Bruce
during which time she also contributed to Traveller’s Rubidge, University of the Witwatersrand; Jeremy Saville,
Guide to Tanzania. ZigZag Magazine; Mark Shaw, Barrister’s; Dr Dan Sleigh,
Cape Town; Anthony Sterne, Simply Salmon; David Swane-
Additional Contributors poel, Voortrekker Museum; Johan Taljaard, West Coast
Duncan Cruickshank, Claudia Dos Santos, Luke Hardiman, National Park; Pietermaritzburg Publicity Association;
Gail Jennings, Peter Joyce, Loren Minsky, Roger St Pierre, Beyers Truter, Beyerskloof wine farm, Stellenbosch;
Anne Taylor, Ariadne Van Zendbergen. Dr Lita Webley, Albany Museum, Grahamstown; Lloyd
Wingate and Stephanie Pienaar, Kaffrarian Museum (King
Additional Photography William’s Town); and all provincial tourist authorities and
Greg & Yvonne Dean, Louise Dean, Charley van Dugteren, national and provincial park services.
Hanne and Jens Erikesen, Christopher & Sally Gable, Nigel
Hicks, Josef Hlasek, Anthony Johnson, Mathew Kurien, Photographic and Artwork Reference
Cyril Laubscher, Ian O’Leary, Gary Ombler, John Reeks, Vida Allen and Bridget Carlstein, McGregor Museum
Tony Souter, Linda Whitwam, Jerry Young. (Kimberley); Marlain Botha, Anglo American Library; The
Cape Archives; Captain Emilio de Souza; Petrus Dhlamini,
Additional Illustrations Anton Krugel. Anglo American Corporation (Johannesburg); Gawie
www.ebook3000.com
462 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Fagan and Tertius Kruger, Revel Fox Architects (Cape The publisher would like to thank the following individuals,
Town); Jeremy Fourie, Cape Land Data; Graham Goddard, companies and picture libraries for permission to reproduce
Mayibuye Centre, The University of the Western Cape; their photographs:
Margaret Harradene, Public Library (Port Elizabeth); Maryke 123RF.com: skywalker01 319tl. 4Corners: Justin Foulkes 190;
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Chamber of Mines; Professor André Meyer, Pretoria ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa): 437bl; Shaen
University; Julia Moore, Boschendal Manor House; Adey: 1t, 77tr, 34tr, 133bl, 142cla, 150br,165cl, 346cla, 346cl,
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 463
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Collection UK/Gerald Hoberman 62–3; imagebroker.net / Addo Elephant National Park 67tl; Piet Heymans 66cla, 67cr;
jspix jspix 64; Monsoon Images Nabil Ezz 99br; Elliott Neep Geoff Spiby: 28bl, 29bl, 143br; South African Tourism:
82–3; Robert Harding Travel/Paul Allen 74; Gerard Soury 426cra; Standard Bank: 432cla; The Star: 57tc; State
418tl; Prince Albert Tourism Association: Reinwald Archives: 77tr, 308cla, 364bc, 375cl; Sun International: 252br,
Dedekind 231bl, 231t; Punjabi Kitchen: 405br. Ramblas 328cl, 328tr, 329crb, 329br.
Restaurant: 411br; Ratanga Junction Theme Park: 161cra; The Tasting Room: 402tc; Tokara: 199tr; Topstones (PTY)
Reuters: Howard Burditt 419br; Mike Hutchings 171tl, Rex Ltd: 140cla; Touchline: © Duif du Toit 38cla; © Thomas Turck
Features: 146br; Rhebokskloof Cellar: 193br; Robert 38br; Transvaal Museum: © Dr Gerald Newlands 49ca; The
Harding Picture Library: Allstar 247br; Yadid Levy 171br; Ian Truth And Reconcilliation Committee: 61clb; Two Oceans
Trower 247tr. Rocktail Beach Camp: Wilderness Safaris/Dana Aquarium: 140cl. University Of Pretoria: © Professor André
Allen 383tr; Rovos Rail: 422cla, 423bl; Professor Bruce Meyer 49tl; Pieter-Dirk Uys: 61cr. Chris Van Lennep: 264cl,
Rubidge: 48clb. WSA City Life: © Sean Laurénz 427b; 264–5c; Chris Van Rooyen: 76cla; V&A Waterfront: 141crb,
Sakhumzi: 410tc; Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa: Mango PR 169bl; Hein Von Hörsten: 354cla, 355bl; André Vorster: 428cr.
391br; Seafood at the Marine: 392br, 403br; Shamwari Wartburger Hof Country Hotel: 36cr; Wayne Photography:
Game Reserve: 382bl, 389tl; SIL (© Struik Image Library): Wayne Holtzhausen 242bl; Ian Webb: 416cr; William Fehr
Shaen Adey 35crb, 41br, 122cl, 122clb, 122bl, 123tr, 123br, Collection, Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town: 47b, 160br; W.
130clb, 137bl, 137br, 146cla, 146bl, 147cra, 147br, 155tl, Daniel 155bl; Peter Wilson Agencies: 264br; Keith Young:
160clb, 160br, 163cra, 186cr, 186br, 192cl, 192–3t, 196ca, 160c.
212cla, 301br, 351br; Daryl Balfour 216bl; CLB (Colour Library),
29br, 30cla, 161tl, 251br, 301tl, 315cr, 345cla, 374cla; Credo Front Endpapers: 4Corners: Justin Foulkes Lcl; Alamy
Mutwa 32c; Roger de la Harpe 29ca, 31crb, 36br, 150tl, 165br, Images: Stock Connection Blue Rcr; AWL Images: Niels van
263cr, 274tr, 280bl, 281c, 284cl, 297br, 298tc, 298cr; Nigel Gijn Rbr, Ian Trower Rtl; Dreamstime.com: Ilko Iliev Rtr, Ken
Dennis 31br, 31ca, 76tr, 76br, 77clb, 216cra, 216cl, 275ca, Moore Ltc, Photosky Ltl, Anke Van Wyk Rbl, Hongqi Zhang
284tr, 290cra, 291cra, 300tl, 305tr, 306bl, 306bc, 306br, 307tl, Rbc.; Getty Images: Deji Fisher Lbl, Robert C Nunnington Ltr.
340cr, 341t, 342bl, 352tr, 352cl, 352clb, 352crb, 352bl, 352br,
353tl, 353tr, 353cra, 355tl, 369b, 370bl; Gerhard Dreyer 30crb, Cover Front and Spine: Getty Images: Richard du Toit.
30bl, 30br, 31cl, 213tr, 216crb, 221cla, 233br, 248tr, 248cla, Back: Dreamstime.com: Kierran Allen
248bl, 428tl; Jean du Plessis 157cr; Leonard Hoffman 30tr, All other images @ Dorling Kindersley. For further
31tl, 31tc, 31tr, 31cra, 31clb, 263tl, 263bl, 283b, 413t; Anthony information see: www.dkimages.com