Cape Town, city and seaport, legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape province.

Cape Town has a beautiful setting: parts of the city and its suburbs wind about the steep slopes of Table Mountain (1,086 metres high) and neighbouring peaks and rim the shores of Table Bay; other parts lie on the flats below the slopes or stretch southward across the flats to False Bay.

Established in 1652 with the arrival of Dutch settlers who were sent to start a halfway station for passing ships, Cape Town is known as Africa’s “Mother City.” Like most other African cities, it has a complex colonial history, but one that has brought about truly magnificent diversity.

Golf Courses
Cape Town and the Western Cape offer visitors a selection of excellent golf courses in majestic settings and rated as some of the best Golf Courses in South Africa. The courses in Cape Town are pristine in setting, layout and quality, and are of championship status. The Western Cape’s wide variety of top rated golf courses, each in their own unique setting will meet the needs of any golfer visiting Cape Town and the Western Cape. Good golf courses such as Arabella Golf Club, Hermanus Golf Club, Pearl Valley Estate, Stellenbosch Golf Club…to mention some in between the 37 golf courses you can find here.

Gastronomy
The foodie capital of South Africa, Cape Town’s flavoursome cuisine reflects its rich cultural heritage while its award-winning wines deserve a toast
A cultural melting pot, Cape Town’s cuisine is influenced by Dutch East Indies from far-off days to modern British-Indian cooking, appealing to intrepid foodies. The local wine industry is thriving too – the nearby rolling Winelands keep visitors happy with superb tasting menus, pairing award-wining wines with a great selection of local cheeses and olives.

Braai
On our South Africa Food & Drink guide, we say braai (BBQ) is a national sport, a religion even, and many Capetonians agree. A traditional braai isn’t just about roasting meat, but a social event where friends and family gather to share food and have a fantastic time.

Boerewors
You can’t talk about braai without mentioning boerewors – beef and pork sausages seasoned with a generous amount of spices including coriander and nutmeg.

Biltong
This dried, cured meat is the favourite snack of South Africa. Biltong is often made from beef, though it can also be made from game meats like ostrich. It’s high in protein so pack some with you when you go on safaris and hikes.

Gatsby
This lunchtime super sandwich is a foot-long loaf of bread stuffed with French fries, meat of your choice (steak, fish or calamari), eggs, salad and drenched in sauces. It’s cheap, filling, makes for an ideal budget eat.

Wild Game
By now you’ve probably figured out that South Africans love to eat meat and exotic wild game – crocodile, kudu, ostrich, springbok – is widely available. Enjoy a game steak or kebabs made with wild game.

Bobotie
A popular Cape Malay dish of curried meat, raisin and a creamy egg topping, often served with banana slices and yellow rice on the side.

Fish and Chips
With a long coastline promising a good supply of fresh fish, it should be no surprise that fish and chips are popular in Cape Town. Freshly caught hake, yellowtail and snoek are battered and fried. Delicious.

Malva Pudding
A soft sponge cake made with apricot jam and smothered with creamy sauce the moment it’s taken out of the oven, then served with a scoop of ice cream or custard. This classic South African dessert is a sweet and sticky perfection.

Roibos tea
This refreshing caffeine-free drink is produced from the leaves of the Rooibos shrub native to the mountainous Western Cape. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants and minerals and is considered a natural remedy for headaches, insomnia and hypertension.

Wine
South African wine has received much attention thanks to its quality. The wine making history started in Constantia near Cape Town, and has since expanded to nearby valleys. Vineyards here produce a wide range of varieties including Pinotage, South Africa’s signature variety.

Climate
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it gets its rainfall in the winter months, so January and February are mostly dry. Expect long, warm days with blue skies, when the sun only sets after 8pm and there’s always something going on.

Cape Town enjoys a temperate climate with warm, dry conditions from October to April. Temperatures peak between December and February, which is the most popular time for a Cape Town beach holiday. Expect busy beaches, a vibrant nightlife and gloriously sunny festive cheer. Cape Town’s fierce south-easterly wind blows during this time, occasionally clearing the beaches and blanketing Table Mountain in cloud.

By February the wind calms and most visitors head home, making late January to April absolutely fantastic.

June, July, and August are mid-winter, so they’re the rainiest months as well as the coldest, but depending on your interests this can definitely be the best time to visit Cape Town. There are barely any crowds at the top attractions, for starters. Just make sure your trip doesn’t coincide with Table Mountain’s annual winter closure (usually for two weeks at the end of July).

From March to May or from September to November is the best time of the year for safari-goers to visit South Africa. These are shoulder seasons for Cape Town, so you can enjoy fewer lines, fewer crowds, and some pretty great weather.

January and February with average temperatures: 17 – 29°C.
December and March with average temperatures: 16 – 27°C
April, October and November with average temperatures: 15 – 25°C.
From May until September with average temperatures: 11 – 20°C. Here is the rainiest season.

The Garden Route begins about four hours outside Cape Town, and includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, the starting point of which is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay culminating in the Tstisikamma Forest – a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and bird life.

Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber -coloured rivers and golden beaches.

Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience when visiting the Garden Route in South Africa.

The region provides a stirring study in contrasts. The delightful town of George, known as “The Gateway to the Garden Route”, graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn, “Capital of the Klein Karoo”, is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale.

The Garden Route stretches on the southern coast from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. It’s a nook of the country that offers inspiration to writers and artists whose presence gives the Garden Route a trendy flavour. It is also a top priority of many a foreign visitor. The coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty.

Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible; scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more. The Tsitsikamma National Park, perched on a tumultuous Indian Ocean shore is one of South Africa’s most dramatic protected areas, combining marine and land attractions. Its indigenous forests are a haven for birdlife. One of the most geologically interesting parts of South Africa is the Klein Karoo, with its towering mountains and sheer gorges.

An important geological feature is the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone, situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions.

Oudtshoorn itself, the heart of the ostrich feather industry when it was in its hey day the late 1800s and early 1900s, is well worth a visit. The grandiose, old feather palaces are still to be seen, while ostrich farms, now involved in the commercial production of meat, leather, eggs and feathers, can be toured, with the possibility of riding an ostrich.

Golf Courses
The Garden Route is characterised by its incredible mountains, forests, and beaches; as well as for the charming towns dotted along its 200 kilometres. George is the largest city on the Garden Route and is home to the world-renowned Fancourt Country Club Estate. This estate was designed by Gary Player and is consistently ranked in the top 10 of South Africa’s golf courses.

The luxurious Pinnacle Point Golf Course in Mossel Bay promises unrivalled seascapes from the tops of the coastal cliffs of the Garden Route, complemented by the bracing sea air. This course was selected as one of the world’s Top 10 Best New Courses for 2006 – the first time, in the history of golf, that a South African golf course was selected. The Simola Golf Course was the first along the Garden Route to be designed by the respected Jack Nicklaus, and overlooks the scenic little town of Knysna.

Caddies are available at most golf courses. Exceptions are on cart-only golfing estates and at certain golf and housing estates. Golf carts are limited on many of the courses in Garden Route and prior booking is advised.

Gastronomy
Biltong and bobotie: soul food on South Africa’s Garden Route.

Bobotie
A popular Cape Malay dish of curried meat, raisin and a creamy egg topping, often served with banana slices and yellow rice on the side.

Climate
The Garden Route has a maritime Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
The Garden Route has an all-year-round temperate climate that is perfectly suited to playing outdoors. Temperatures are highest in the summer months (November to April), although bear in mind that this stretch of coastline gets very busy over the Christmas school holidays. For a beach holiday without the crowds, the best time to visit the Garden Route is from February to April but remember that unlike Cape Town, on a Garden Route holiday you can experience rain at any time of year.

Temperatures rarely fall below 16°C – even in winter – so your decision as to when to go to the Garden Route should also depend on your interests: whale watching season runs from July to October (peaking in September), hiking is also good in winter, and the 10-day Knysna Festival in July is a great combination of sporting events, food and live local music.

In the Eastern Cape and approaching Port Elizabeth, rain tends to fall predominantly during the summer months (December to February). The fact that the route winds along the coast ensures that the weather can be rather unpredictable and rain is always a possibility.

From December until March with average temperatures: 15 – 26°C.
April, October and November with average temperatures: 12 – 24°C.
From May until September with average temperatures: 8 – 20°C. Here is the rainiest season.

Whether you’re in the mood for an informal seaside escape, an encounter with the “Big Five” on safari, or a choice of scintillating city diversions, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in the Eastern Cape. Scenic diversity is one of the most striking characteristics of the region, ranging from the lush, evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the southern slopes of the Drakensberg and the arid Great Karoo.

Alternating between sweeping sand, river mouths, rocks and covers, the coastline is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Among them, surfers ride the perfect waves, anglers reel in king-size catches, and board sailors revel in the challenge of the wind. Sunshine all year round, fine leisure resorts and splendid facilities ensure that the great outdoors is always in style.

When pleasures of a more sophisticated kind appeal, you’ll find plenty to entertain you in Port Elizabeth and East London. Both are ideal for family holidays, large enough to offer all the amenities of a city, yet small enough to be genuinely welcoming and friendly. They also provide convenient access to unspoiled areas of exceptional natural beauty.

Superbly set on the shores of Algoa Bay, “The Friendly City” is the fifth biggest city in South Africa and the largest on the coast between Cape Town and Durban. A popular leisure resort, the City of Port Elizabeth beckons with an attractive atmosphere of year-round holiday fun against a backdrop of urban activity. Its warm, welcoming nature is matched by a climate which boasts more sunshine than any other coastal town in the country.

Algoa Bay encourages all forms of water sport; in, on and under the sea, where there is a colourful diving region. The beaches are always alive with sun worshippers, and conditions are excellent for surfing, sailing, diving and angling. Close by, the Swartkops River offers endless opportunities for enjoyment. In addition to sport, land-based leisure options encompass a wide range.

Port Elizabeth has beautiful parks, botanical gardens and nature reserves with an abundance of bird life. Many inland and coastal walking trails can be explored in the area. In Port Elizabeth, the 1820 Settlers were introduced to their new land, and there they built some of the graceful period homes that still enhance the city’s landscape. Since then, the tiny settlement has grown into a busy commercial, industrial and educational city with attractive shops, parks, theatres, museums and restaurants. After exploring the city of Port Elizabeth, a day trip can be made to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park.

Addo Elephant National Park supports about 500 elephants in addition to Cape buffalo, black rhino, kudu and over 180 South African bird species. It’s fascinating to watch the elephants emerging from a dense tangle of creepers and trees, guiding their young towards to water holes. From historical and architectural points of view, Grahamstown and Graaff Reinet should not be missed.

South Africa’s only river port city is set on the broad Buffalo River and one of the most attractive stretches of the Eastern Cape seaboard. The City of East London offers sweeping white beaches which extend for miles; unpolluted, uncrowded, unspoiled. Swimming, sailing, water-skiing, boardsailing and boating are enjoyed all year round, while the river mouths, lagoons and gullies provide a paradise for fishermen.

East London is the ideal base from which to explore the north-eastern mountains and the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast. The city has bowling greens, tennis and squash courts and golf clubs with grand views of the Indian Ocean. The city’s ancestry is evident. Against a typically African backdrop, strong links with England and traces of the German lineage are found. Several well-preserved examples of 19th-century architecture enhance the charm of the city. Traffic snarls and overcrowded city streets are the exception rather than the rule. Courtesy friendliness and good old-fashioned hospitality will enhance your holiday pleasure.

One of the liveliest coastlines in the world stretches from Port Alfred to the Tsitsikamma National Park; a place of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. On the outskirts of the forest, beauty of a gentler kind is found in the Langkloof, renowned for its orchards and a rich indigenous flora.

In the hinterland, the Karoo Heartland epitomises the essence of South Africa. Vast open spaces; sparse veld bushes and distant brooding mountains. Sheep and game farming are carried out on a grand scale in the region, where millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed the plains, leaving in their wake fossils which attract the attention of paleontologists from all over the world. The tranquil landscape of Frontier Country, studded with historical towns and villages, invites a close scrutiny of its intriguing background of conflict, courage, despair and success. This is where the Xhosa, Dutch and British had their first encounters, leading at first to frequent clashes and later to a cultural learning curve and mutual acceptance. Cape Dutch homes, ornate Victorian buildings and the lime-washed homesteads of the rural Xhosa provide tangible symbols of three vastly different cultures coming together in peaceful coexistence.

From East London, the road parallel to the Wild Coast leads through a region of unspoilt grandeur; thick indigenous forests, hilly grasslands and sheer cliffs falling to white, unspoilt beaches. The Wild Coast is one of South Africa’s most exciting and unexploited areas, with a special appeal for fishermen all year round.

Crowned cranes are frequently seen along the coast. The Xhosa people of the district believe that if one of these birds is killed, death will afflict the hunter’s family. An easy drive leads to the great sweep of the Amatola Mountains, embellished by stately yellowwood and white stinkwood trees. Scattered about in the foothills and beyond, Xhosa homesteads, circular and thatched, are often grouped around a cattle kraal, usually situated on the ridge of a hill, leaving the fertile valleys free for cultivation.

The Northern Ukhahlamba region, dominated by the southern Drakensberg, is characterised by mountains, sandstone cliffs, green valleys, crystal-clear streams and crisp, clean air. The wildwater fly-fishing is the finest in the country; an unbeatable combination of enormous trout and scenic surroundings. Charming country hotels, hot springs, Bushman paintings, hiking trails and enchanting little towns await your arrival and exciting discoveries are almost guaranteed.

Golf Courses
Whether you’re on a family holiday in the Eastern Cape or a formal golf tour to South Africa, this province is a must for its excellent golfing and gorgeous settings. And, because the Eastern Cape has bigger cities like Port Elizabeth and East London, as well as smaller seaside resorts like St Francis and Port Alfred, the courses here are as varied as the places themselves.

The greens and fairways of the Eastern Cape golf courses are often perched on coastal dunes, and some boast breath-taking views of the ocean from their holes. After a morning on the greens, head to the beaches of the Eastern Cape or explore some of its best historical and cultural attractions.

The East London Golf Club is a top-rated course with plenty of history, and even some resident impala. It has hosted a number of tournaments too. The Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth is a true links course and is flanked by the ocean and the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. This course has gorgeous facilities and has consistently been touted as one of the best golf courses in South Africa.

The St Francis Bay Golf Club continues to be a favourite; not only for the excellent course, but also for its idyllic setting and for the options of hotels and holiday homes offering wonderful accommodation in St Francis Bay.

Other recommended golf courses in the Eastern Cape include the Wild Coast Sun Golf Course (designed by world-renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones) in Port Edward, and the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club.

Caddies are available at most golf courses. Exceptions are on cart-only golfing estates and at certain golf and housing estates. Golf carts are limited on many of the courses in Eastern Cape and prior booking is advised.

Gastronomy
The Xhosa culture is one of the most commonly found in South Africa. The Xhosa people traditionally occupy the south-eastern parts of the country, including Port Elizabeth, East London and the Transkei / Wild Coast. Of interest to visitors to the Cape, there is a large Xhosa community in Cape Town in the Western Cape. This is the second most widely spoken language in South Africa, after Zulu, and dates back centuries.

The cuisine of the AmaXhosa, as the people are known, comprises a combination of red and white meat (including game as well as other domestic varieties like goat), vegetables, samp and grains.

Mieliepap is maize meal, and forms a major part of the Xhosa diet. It is frequently mixed with sugar beans and a little animal fat (or bones) for flavour. This is known as umngqusho. It can be eaten on its own or as a starch with other dishes. This has permeated many other cultures and homes in South Africa, and is enjoyed by all colours and languages in the modern Rainbow Nation. Umvubo refers to dry pap (or porridge) that is mixed with sour milk; another popular favourite.

The vegetables that have been a traditional part of the Xhosa diet were always those that were grown by the farmers and families of any given Xhosa community. Therefore, the precise varieties depended on the soil and the weather of that particular region. These vegetables include leafy green vegetables like spinach and beetroot, as well as pumpkin, potatoes, cabbages and corn.

The livestock of the Xhosa community has always been a valuable commodity. In fact, these animals meant the very survival of the village and represented the wealth of the individuals and of the village as a whole. So, while chickens and goats were common meats for consumption, sheep and cows were generally preserved for special occasions and ceremonies.

At these events, the slaughter formed (and still forms) part of the entire ceremony and is an integral part of their beliefs that centre on ancestors and appeasing their forefathers through rituals.

After the ritual, the meat from the animal is consumed, usually by a large group of extended family members and friends. Rituals are performed as part of ‘coming of age’ celebrations, as well as of weddings and funerals.

The Xhosa culture is marked by its hospitable nature and its sense of community. The catering arrangements indicate this. A Xhosa family will welcome guests, even unexpected ones, with food and beverages. It is considered rude not to share your food with others. This hails back to the days when the Xhosa society was a close-knit one, and villages were made up of friends and family of a single clan. While this may not be the case in urban South Africa, these standards remain.

Visitors that take the time to get to know Xhosa locals will immediately be privy to their undeniable sense of hospitality and generosity.

Climate
The coastal area of the Eastern Cape Province lies directly between the subtropical conditions of KwaZulu Natal and the Mediterranean conditions of the Western Cape.
In the North East along the Wild Coast, towns like Port St Johns experience long, hot, balmy conditions and high rainfall, while Graaff Reinet, in the heart of the Karoo Heartland, experiences long hot summer months and moderate winters.

The city of Port Elizabeth enjoys a daily average of +/- 7-8 hours of sunshine annually. In Winter (April to August) the temperatures range from 7º to 20º C. In summer the temperatures range from 16º to 26º C. On the whole the weather in the Eastern Cape is good to visitors, rarely reaching extremes, except perhaps in the height of the Karoo summer. The changes depend on how much you move across the province’s expanse and in and out of different climatological zones.

KwaZulu Natal‘s leisure options provide a multitude of choices to keep you endlessly entertained. From the city of Durban you can catch a shuttle to Margate, at the hub of the South Coast Golf Circuit. When you’re not playing golf, fishing or lying on the beach, you can visit a crocodile farm, a nature reserve or follow an arts and crafts trail.

A short flight takes you to the historic city of Pietermaritzburg, gateway to the Natal Midlands and the charming Drakensberg resorts. No holiday in KwaZulu Natal would be complete without a visit to at least one of the KwaZulu Natal game reserves, renowned throughout the world.

Appropriately enough, the Zulu name for Durban is Thekwini, meaning “The Place Where the Earth and the Ocean Meet”. Apart from an effervescent ocean lined with golden beaches, KwaZulu Natal’s capital city, Durban, offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere and summer sunshine all year round. From around the globe, day in, day out, pleasure-seekers converge on the city to play on the golden, palm-fringed sands. In addition to the attractions of sea, surf and sport, leisure options encompass an eclectic range.

At excellent one-stop shopping centres, you can buy anything from photographic equipment to couturier clothes and rare antiques. Flea markets and craft trails attract leisurely browsers, and discount stores offer quality merchandise at bargain basement prices. Within a stone’s throw of the city centre, oriental bazaars, fragrant with spice and incense, offer silks, saris, unusual jewellery and ornaments.

Theatres and concert halls present classical, avant-garde and ethnic programmes, and art galleries display works created by the internationally famous and up-and-coming local talents. KwaZulu Natal’s restaurants represent every facet of the city’s cosmopolitan nature and cater for every palate and pocket. At the end of the day, what could be better that strolling on the beach to the rhythm of the waves?

Throughout the year, holiday-makers flock to their favourite KwaZula Natal coastal haunts to cultivate a tan, ride the waves, eat, drink and generally have fun. Besides the sweeping beaches and calm lagoons where surfing, snorkelling, fishing and swimming are enjoyed, you can play golf, bowls and tennis or just soak up the sun. From Durban to Amanzimtoti, Ballito to Umhlanga Rocks, to the rugged Wild Coast, the highway links popular seaside resorts in rapid succession. The road snakes through subtropical bush, cane fields and hills garlanded with hibiscus blooms. North of Durban, the coastline stretching from the Tugela Mouth to the Umdloti River is aptly known as the Dolphin Coast. Close inshore, shoals of bottle-nose dolphins gambol in the waves, providing endless entertainment with their engaging antics.

Arguably the gem of the entire Natal North Coast is the Umhlanga Coastline. The Umhlanga Coast offers a combination of quiet village life with first world amenities and a cosmopolitan buzz. It also offers a diversity of activities in exotic and magnificent landscapes. Popular towns here include Umhlanga and Umdloti, a favourite holiday haunt with the locals.

Further north, KwaZulu Natal’s game sanctuaries epitomise the best of the African wilderness. This is one of the few places where good game viewing can be enjoyed in close proximity to the pleasures of scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. Habitats from coastal dune forests to open bushveld support a wide diversity of wildlife, from the elephant to the tiny suni. Bird life is equally prolific. Most parks offer peaceful surroundings, comfortable or luxury game lodges, game drives, hiking and walking safaris.

The Elephant Coast forms the north-east region of South Africa’s unique KwaZulu Natal Province, stretching northward from Lake St Lucia (a world heritage site), to the borders of Swaziland and Mozambique. The region is so named because it is home to South Africa’s largest herd of indigenous African Elephants.

Between the coastal playgrounds and the majestic Drakensberg, there is an area of gentle pastoral beauty known as the Natal Midlands. The highway meanders through rolling wooded hills and grassy plains scattered with towns, villages and hospitable country inns. On lush farmlands, plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze and game sanctuaries throughout the region support large numbers and varieties of wildlife.

Nestling in the valleys, fine hotels and leisure resorts offer accommodation and recreational options second to none. Fast-flowing rivers are frequented by anglers hoping for a record-breaking rainbow trout. Climbers scale the jagged peaks where eagles and bearded vultures fly; hikers and horse-riders follow nature trails. The less energetic shrug off city stress by drinking in the birdsong, the crisp clean air and the stunning views.

Set in the heart of Zulu country, the city of Pietermaritzburg is one of charm and dignity, at its loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom. When the first Voortrekkers arrived in 1837, they found a tranquil countryside graced by forests, hills and valleys. They settled on a fertile tract of land beside the Umsindusi River and named it after two of their leaders, Gerrit Maritz and Piet Retief.

Six years later, the British upgraded the village to a military garrison town. Today, numerous Victorian and Edwardian buildings, quaint pedestrian lanes and other landmarks reflect the substantial British contribution to the development of the town. And in shady, tree-lined suburbs, spacious red brick bungalows and upper-crust boarding schools reinforce the colonial ambience of “The Last Outpost of the British Empire” as Maritzburg is affectionately known.

The city of Pietermaritzburg has a wide range of shops, Pietermaritzburg hotels and restaurants, providing the ideal gateway to the exceptional country inns, recreational resorts and game reserves of the Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg.

Golf Courses
The sub-tropical coastline of KwaZulu Natal rates as one of South Africa’s prime golf destinations. The Durban Country Club is one of the top golf courses in South Africa and has hosted more South African Opens than any other golf club. A large number of superb courses dot the South Coast. On the North (Dolphin) Coast, Zimbali, the popular Umhlali Country Club and the links-type Prince’s Grant are three highly enjoyable and top quality options. Add to this long hours of sunshine, natural beauty and KwaZulu Natal’s game reserves and you have all the ingredients of a truly memorable South African golfing holiday.
Caddies are available at most golf courses. Exceptions are on cart-only golfing estates and at certain golf and housing estates. Golf carts are limited on many of the courses in KwaZulu Natal and prior booking is advised.

Gastronomy
In the past decades when modernisation, colonisation, and urbanisation had not eroded the African culture, part of the Zulu tradition was hunting and gathering. The traditional food in South Africa was in plenty. There were different varieties of vegetables and fruits. The Zulu food would be prepared communally, and several families ate from the same pot. All meals were cooked over open fires using traditional containers. The Zulu’s would forage the forests to feed their families.
Zulu Cuisine – When in KwaZulu-Natal, eat as the Zulus do! Traditional dishes include mogodu (tripe), amadumbi (Zulu potatoes), walkie-talkies (boiled chicken feet) and pap (hard maize porridge).
Other traditional dishes and drinks are:

Amazi is one of the best Zulu drinks. It has the taste of cottage cheese or yogurt. It is curdled milk. To prepare amazi, fresh milk is placed in a gourd that is set aside to allow the milk to curdle. After thickening, the whey is separated from the curd, and the curd is consumed. The amazi gourd should not be cleaned. Instead, it is refilled with a new batch of milk that gains a characteristic taste from being prepared in the gourd.

Uphuthu. Maize is a staple food in South Africa until today. Many maize dishes can be prepared, but uphuthu is the most commonly prepared. It is a meal that is made from coarsely ground maize. The coarse grind is then used to create a thick porridge with a crumbly texture. Uphuthu is mainly served cold and can be accompanied by spinach or amasi.

In contemporary South Africa, beef is widely consumed by people from all tribes. In the Zulu menu, beef is commonly prepared. In the tribe, the meat is divided according to sex and age. The men get the most desirable parts such as the lover, head and front legs. The women get the tripe and ribs while young boys get the hind legs and feet. Beef is a must have in the Zulu traditional wedding food menu.

Amadumbe is a root that almost resembles sweet potatoes. It is prepared similarly to potatoes. It can be boiled, steamed, or grilled. Mashed amadumbe is commonly used as a weaning food. Amadumbe is a healthy food in Zulu that is consumed by people of all ages. Today, the amadumbe is also cut into chips and fried as a French fries substitute.

Ujege is an authentic Zulu bread that is steamed and is usually served as an accompaniment to meat or curry.

In the Zulu culture, beer making is done by women. The ingredients include sorghum, maize, and plum. The fruit or grain is soaked for one day over an open fire in a particular beer making hut. The mixture is then allowed to cool for one day and is then strained before serving. Alcoholic beer is called Utywala while the nonalcoholic variant is called amahewu.

Chakalaka is one of the most commonly consumed South African dishes to date. It is a tomato relish that is spicy. The isiZulu food recipes for chakalaka vary depending on the family. The side dish can be altered to make it more or less spicy. Initially, chakalaka was prepared by men who worked in goldmines. They mixed a variety of vegetables and beans to cook this delicious dish. The dish was later embraced by the Zulus as well as other tribes across South Africa. It is often served alongside a starchy dish.

Porridge commonly features in the isiZulu food. Phutu is an unfermented porridge while isibhede is the fermented porridge. Isibhede is sour and makes the tongue tingle.

It is common for different kinds of meat to be roasted whole in the isiZulu culture. Usually, the large roast is served on the ugqoko which is a large wooden pan. Roasted meat can either be domesticated animals such as sheep, chicken, and pigs or hunted wildlife such as buffalo and waterbuck. In the traditional setting, Zulu traditional food was served in wooden bowls. Today, people mostly use enamel plates. Despite the change in serving utensils and the use of stoves as opposed to open fires, the Zulu food is still prepared using the same recipes. Zulu foods are nutritious and tasty.

Climate
The climate in the KwaZulu Natal Province is all year ’round tourist friendly. Sea temperatures are also relatively stable, averaging 21 degrees all year, providing possibilities for a diversity of aquatic activities in any season, including diving, fishing, swimming, boating and surfing.
Visitors to KwaZulu Natal can look forward to a splendid climate. The largest city, Durban, enjoys warmth and sunshine very occasionally mixed with light, steady rainfall. In Durban the air is heavy with humidity and the subtropical latitude of the city brings with it long, hot summers with rainfall, and very mild winters.

Durban boasts an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures range from 16 to 25º C in winter. During the summer months temperatures range from 23 to 33º C (between September and April). January is generally Durban’s hottest month, with an average daily temperature of +/- 32ºC. The warm Mozambique current flowing along the coast means wonderfully warm bathing throughout the year, the water seldom falling below 17º C even in the middle of winter. With these conditions, it’s no accident that Durban is considered the “holiday city” of KwaZulu Natal.
Further north, conditions become subtropical to an even greater extent, and the estuarine environment of St Lucia and Kosi Bay brings steamy days and balmy nights. Moving inland, the low-lying coastline makes way for the emerald hills of Zululand and Thukela regions, and still further east to the Great Escarpment, as altitudes rise and temperatures drop. In the Drakensberg, the chilly towns of Bergville and Winterton provide a refreshing break from the swelter.

Formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal, Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations. People are drawn to Mpumalanga by the magnificent scenery, by the fauna and flora and by the saga of the 1870s gold rush era and a wealth of fascinating tribal legends.

Aptly know as “Paradise Country”, few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the Mpumalanga Lowveld and escarpment. Mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterise the landscape. This is also Big Game Country, the setting for dozens of sanctuaries teeming with wildlife and birds. Among them, the Kruger National Park is world renowned, as are several of the luxurious private reserves on its western boundary.

The entire Mpumalanga area offers exceptional opportunities for bird-watching, hiking, horse-riding and fishing. Streams once panned for gold have become the haunts of eager anglers and lazy trout. Steeped in the history of pioneers, hunters and fortune seekers, fascinating gold rush towns abound. Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest are among the most famous. A special, additional dimension occurs in the Middleveld region which is inhabited by Ndebele people, notable for their traditional costumes and attractively decorated houses.

En route to the Kruger National Park through Mpumalanga, you have the advantage of some stunning scenery. Turn off the N4 to the village of Dullstroom, travel over the Long Tom Pass and its splendid panoramic views to Lone Creek Falls and the charming forestry town of Sabie.

Just beyond Sabie, the Mac Mac Falls are worth stopping for; and you can treat yourself to a swim in the crystal-clear pools. A small detour leads to Pilgrim’s Rest; a fascinating historic town, well worth exploring before continuing to Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve. In the reserve, you can feast your eyes on the Blyde River Canyon and the rich bird life. At the southern tip of the reserve, the view from God’s Window stretches to eternity across the Lowveld. From there, it’s a short and easy drive to some of the finest private game reserves in the country and Orpen Gate to the Kruger National Park.

Fruit put the City of Nelspruit on the map in the 1890s, and fruit has always played a vital role in the town’s development. The fertile Crocodile River Valley, in which the town lies, is also notable for its tobacco and timber industries.

Nelspruit today is the capital of Mpumalanga, the commercial and administrative hub of the Lowveld, and the centre of a vast citrus-growing region. The streets of this large, modern town are lined with jacaranda and flamboyant trees and impeccably tended suburban gardens abound, flaunting flowering subtropical plants and shrubs.

From Nelspruit, good roads radiate to many of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the Lowveld, including game sanctuaries, mountains and historic towns. Curio shops and wayside stalls offer excellent hand-woven rugs, carvings, leather goods and fresh farm produce. Hiking trails criss-cross this scenic area in every direction.

Golf Courses
A golfing holiday in Mpumalanga affords you the unique opportunity to combine your favourite sport with the unrivalled game viewing opportunities offered by the Kruger National Park and the private game reserves in Mpumalanga, and with the possibility of Giraffe and other wildlife looking in on your game of golf, you won’t even need to venture far to view some of South Africa’s finest game.

Caddies are available at most golf courses. Exceptions are on cart-only golfing estates and at certain golf and housing estates. Golf carts are limited on many of the courses in Mpumalanga and prior booking is advised.

Gastronomy
Eating out in Mpumalanga can an adventurous activity as travellers partake of the traditional dishes of Africa. These dishes are excellent culinary adventures and give you a peek into South Africa’s past.

Being the safari heartland this region offers travellers a wide array of barbecue style cooking along with a choice of venue. Game lodges arrange bush dinners around fires serving braai – which means barbecued – beef, lamb, chicken, pork, wild meat and freshwater fish with a lot of barbecued vegetables, shaba or spicy tomato relish, and the staple meal pap or maize meal porridge.

Climate
Mpumalanga’s weather is naturally defined by it’s topography. Mpumalanga is a province of two halves, namely the high-lying grassland savannah of the highveld escarpment and the subtropical Lowveld plains. The western side of Mpumalanga, on the highveld escarpment, is like a rise of tropics, an ascent into an uncompromising range of temperatures. The west is drier, hotter and much colder than the rest of the Mpumalanga province.

Middelburg, in the heart of the highveld, experiences summer rain, and has a summer (October to February) to winter (April to August) range of around 19º C with average temperatures in the contrasting seasons, of 26º C and 8º C. Nelspruit, the capital city of Mpumalanga, lies at the edge of the Lowveld near the Kruger National Park, and enjoys relatively plentiful summer rainfall (an average of around 620 mm falls between September and March) and mild to hot subtropical conditions in the Kruger National Park.

If your trip covers the entire province, make sure you are prepared for the differences in temperatures from the Highveld to the Lowveld. Mosquitoes unfortunately also thrive in the climate of the lowlands.

From December until March with average temperatures: 16 – 26°C.
April, October and November with average temperatures: 12 – 23°C.
From May until September with average temperatures: 7 – 22°C. Here is the rainiest season.

Stretching all the way from Pretoria in the north to Vereeniging in the south, Gauteng (Sotho for place of gold, although the ‘gaut’ is also thought to originate from the Dutch ‘goud’ for gold) was created by the ANC in 1994 after the country’s first all-race elections, uniting six regions, including part of the old Transvaal province, into what might be the smallest South African province, but serves as the gateway into Africa.

Whilst Gautengs history lies embedded in the discovery of gold, today Gauteng not only has one of the best infrastructures, but its population of over 9 million people form part of a vibrant mix of energy and diversity that make it one of the wealthiest provinces in Africa, and the entertainment epicentre of South Africa. The energy of the Highveld, with its intense summers broken only by intermittent electric storms, is echoed in the sheer buzz of the place. In Johannesburg people walk and talk fast, they drive at high speed too, and the ever increasing skyline – as glass and chrome structures rise like mushrooms seemingly overnight – reflects the rapid development that has taken place in the city in the last 10 years.

There is more to Gauteng than the art of business and money-making. The Johannesburg Metro and the City of Pretoria – the two major cities in Gauteng – are diametrically opposed, and Pretoria provides a more laid-back, gentrified alternative – its jacaranda lined, wide streets and lovely old buildings a more sedate choice for many who readily make the daily commute to Johannesburg. The Vaal River, which separates Gauteng from the Free State, provides a number of avenues of escape; the Magaliesberg Mountains, virtually on Johannesburg’s doorstep, another effortless flight into days of heady blue quiet spaces; and Limpopo – just to the north of Gauteng, with its allure of game reserves, waterfalls, forests and streams – one more escape of note.

Whilst the region around the city of Johannesburg, or as called by locals Jo’burg or Jozi, is incredibly ancient and includes the discovery of a 3½ million-year-old Australopithecus africanus in a cave near Sterkfontein, just outside Jozi, the city’s exciting history began only in 1886 with the discovery of gold and the Witwatersrand reef. It didn’t take long for the population of the city to explode from a few shanties into what became, and has remained, the largest city in South Africa. Today Johannesburg is one of the world’s youngest major cities and the powerhouse of the African continent.

The discovery of gold in the region of Johannesburg spurred a mass migration to the area of people wanting to try their luck. The resultant settlement that mushroomed within the space of three years was named by two men, with the first name ‘Johannes’ in common. It leaves little to the imagination then, as to the origin of the city’s name. ‘Burg’, the second syllable, is the Afrikaans word derived from the Dutch ‘village’, similar in some ways to the English word ‘burgh’ meaning ‘town’.

Racial segregation had already become firmly entrenched in the country between the world wars – blacks and Indians were heavily taxed, barred from holding skilled jobs and forced to work as migrant labour – hence the emergence of squatter camps that sprung up around Johannesburg as blacks headed to the city in the wake of industrialisation. These camps developed by all accounts into well-organised cities, and perhaps due to this, were destroyed, forcing people to move to new suburbs known as the South-Western townships, leading to the emergence of Soweto.

Today Jozi is free of discriminatory laws. The inner city is awash with hawkers and street stalls, completely multiracial, and undergoing a total regeneration. Most whites have escaped to the leafy northern suburbs, the sprawling malls and restaurant-lined avenues attractive to visitors and residents alike.

Pretoria suffers from an almost menacing image as the former capital of apartheid, and is involved in an ongoing battle over changing its name to Tshwane – controversial to most inhabitants of the city, and, for the moment, left to lie ‘under consideration’. The municipality refers to it as the City of Tshwane, whilst residents still largely refer to it as Pretoria. It appears that in history there has always been some difficulty over naming the city. Pretoriusdorp, Pretorium, Pretoriusstad and Pretoria-Philadelphia were among early suggestions, from which Pretoria was finally selected by Marthinus Wessel Pretorius in memory of his father, Andries Pretorius.

But Pretoria is not just about government. It is also a place of culture with a series of theatres, museums and monuments – Church Square, Union Buildings, Melrose House and the Voortrekker Monument to name but a few. Roses grow beautifully in the city’s climate and it was known early on as the ‘city of roses’. Add to this some 50 000 Jacarandas that line the streets and one can understand how it became known as the ‘jacaranda city’ or ‘jakarandastad’ in Afrikaans.

The city has access to a number of Nature Reserves that include Groenkloof, Rietfontein, Faerie Glen and Wonderboom nature reserves, as well as the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.

Golf Courses
Gauteng offers the golfing enthusiast a wide selection of world class golf courses which will challenge the amateur and professional alike. Johannesburg boasts some particularly fine golf courses, a number of which have hosted European PGA Tours and South African Sunshine Tour events. Within one hours drive of the Sandton area you will find 36 of the Top 100 golf courses in South Africa – 36 excellent reasons for the golfer to visit Gauteng.

Gastronomy
If you want to know what traditional food you can look forward to in Johannesburg, check these things out:

Pap is a softly cooked maize-porridge which is usually served alongside dishes like meaty stews, barbecued meat or even creamy spinach. You can find it everywhere in Johannesburg. It’s so common, even fast-food chains have it included in their meal deals.

Chakalaka is a spicy salad usually consisting of sautéed beans, grated carrot, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and various spices. It’s the most common side dish in the Joburg area and as a result, you can find numerous variations available. Almost every family has its own secret recipe.

Atchar
This side dish originally comes from South Asia where it’s made of pickled vegetables or fruits in brine. However, the South African version is mostly made of unripe green mangoes and chilli. It’s usually served at a braai (famous South African BBQ) together with stews and curries, but people also eat it just as it is with white bread. You can find atchar in almost every food shop and restaurant in Johannesburg as well as on street markets.

Kota is a very popular food in the Johannesburg and Gauteng area. Basically it’s a quarter-loaf of bread stuffed with anything from French fries, to cheese or atchar we mentioned above. Kota is a typical takeaway food in Johannesburg and you should definitely try it when you learn English there.

Skopas is a puffed popcorn typical for Johannesburg. So typical, you can find it literally everywhere you go in the city. It comes in bright colours but it’s not as sweet as you’d expect from its appearance. It’s very cheap and therefore one of the most popular snacks you can have in Joburg.

Climate
The Gauteng Climate is said to offer one of the world’s best climates: summer days are warm and wind free and winter days are crisp and clear. Johannesburg and Pretoria differ in temperature by about 2% (Pretoria being the warmer of the two).

Johannesburg has a delightfully mild climate, neither humid nor too hot. There are about six weeks of chill in mid-winter (from July to August) and summer offers warm sunshine followed by balmy nights (October to March). The seasons are flexible, one running into the next, and summer habitually spills over into spring and autumn. The nights can be chilly particularly in winter. Bring a jacket to wear in the evenings. The rainy season is in summer rather than winter. Rainstorms are often harsh accompanied by much thunder and lightning and occasional hail, but they are brief and followed by warm sunshine.

Pretoria‘s climate is similar to that of Johannesburg, but it lies at a somewhat lower altitude than its neighbour and its air temperatures are, on average, about two degrees higher. This is a summer-rainfall region. Between November and February summer thunderstorms produce flashes of lightning and brief but torrential afternoon downpours. Summer days are hot, though rarely to the point of discomfort.

Apart from its enviable setting in the western Magaliesberg, there’s always plenty to see and do in the popular holiday resort of Rustenburg. From there, less than half an hour’s drive takes you to the glamorous Sun City Resort and its enormous range of leisure options.

Nearby, you have an excellent chance of spotting the “Big Five” at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. History buffs will be fascinated by Mafikeng, and in particular its museum, which has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and the Bushmen. The towns of Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom are of interest from a historical point of view.

Sun City is internationally renowned as one of South Africa’s premier holiday resorts, offering a multitude of attractions and activities to keep everyone occupied. With its combination of golf, game and gambling, as well as world class hotels, Sun City is the perfect choice for any holiday in South Africa. Sun City is conveniently located about two hours’ drive outside Johannesburg. Sun City in South Africa has much to offer.

The Superbowl, in the entertainment centre hosts rock concerts and beauty pageants, world championship boxing events and banquets. Shows like Baletsatsi, with dancers, gymnasts and circus people, take place in the 620 seater Sun City theatre in the Sun City Hotel. Gourmets will delight in exploring the many fine restaurants that offer everything from haute cuisine to hamburgers, while those who prefer burning kilojoules to consuming them can choose from a range of sporting activities.

The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park – a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic action some 1 300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.

The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills – the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites throughout the park.

Golf Courses
The Sun City Resort put this region on the international golfing map. The resort borders the fourth largest game park in the country, the Pilanesberg National Park, and a visit to both the resort and the park is a must. From a golfer’s point of view it is hard to find two golf courses of such high quality, so different, so close together: The Gary Player Country Club is one of South Africa’s top golf courses, and the Lost City Course is not far behind.

Caddies are available at most golf courses. Exceptions are on cart-only golfing estates and at certain golf and housing estates. Golf carts are limited on many of the courses in North West Province and prior booking is advised.

Climate
Forming the southern part of the Kalahari Desert the North West Province offers almost year-round sunshine, making suntan lotion and a hat a prerequisite when visiting the North West Province, South Africa. The capital city, Mafikeng, enjoys weather indicative of largely the entire North West Province, with towns in the western areas only slightly hotter and those further south a bit cooler.

The summer months (from August to March) bring brief but refreshing afternoon thundershowers. The town has an above average rainfall of 300 to 700 mm annually. Summer temperatures range between 22 and 34ºC and winter brings with it dry, sunny days and chilly nights. The average winter (from May to July) temperature is 16ºC but can range from an average of 2 to 20ºC in a single day.