How many contrasts can exist within a single country?
If South Africa is taken as an example, probably many.
Old versus new, white versus black, Europe versus Africa.
The region has undergone many upheavals since the arrival of the first Europeans.
In the seventeenth century, Dutch farmers known as Boers began settling in the Cape Town area, turning it into a stopping point for merchant and military fleets traveling from Europe to Asia.
Later, the British arrived, conquered the area, and turned it into a formal colony, expanding their rule eastward into the territory of the Zulu tribe. The discovery of diamonds in the nineteenth century led to war between the British and the Boers, after which all the different provinces were united under the British crown and gained independence, making South Africa part of the British Commonwealth.
In 1948, the notorious apartheid regime began, separating blacks and whites and leading to the country’s international isolation.
The official end of apartheid policy came in 1990, but its practical end was in 1994, when the first black president was elected.
The abolition of apartheid returned South Africa to the family of nations and brought it out of international isolation.
Today, the country is trying to find its way through the immense complexity left behind after centuries of upheaval and discrimination.
Despite a difficult beginning, it appears that the country has begun to return to a more stable path, largely thanks to the World Cup, which gave it a strong boost.
The country, located at the southern tip of the African continent, allows the average traveler to experience an extremely diverse trip within a relatively short time.
Over the course of two weeks, it is possible to see and experience the main sites of South Africa, including a visit of several days to Kruger Park.
The nature of the trip is particularly suitable for families with children, who can enjoy an initial encounter with abundant wildlife, meet ancient cultures of the Zulu tribe, ride an ostrich, and take part in many other enjoyable activities.
The trip can be done entirely by self driving in a rental car, except for the Johannesburg area due to security concerns, or accompanied by a dedicated driver and guide who will take care of all needs.
Each option has advantages and disadvantages, mainly financial.
What is certain is that visitors will not remain indifferent to this beautiful and complex country.
Days 1 to 3 – Blyde Canyon
After arrival in Johannesburg, pick up a rental car and drive to the area of the town of Sabie.
Travel by car and on foot among many natural attractions such as Mac Mac Falls, the Potholes area, and of course the impressive Blyde Canyon.
The tour concludes in Kruger Park.
Days 4 to 6 – Kruger Park
A full safari experience.
Accommodation in a comfortable lodge and departure for vehicle tours in the early morning hours and in the evening before sunset, with the goal of seeing as many animals as possible.
The visit follows a kind of camp routine dictated by the animals.
When they are active, tours take place, and when they rest, visitors return to the lodge to relax.
Days 7 to 11 – The Garden Route
Arrival by flight to Port Elizabeth and from there travel westward mainly along the coast toward Cape Town.
Along the way, visit Tsitsikamma Reserve located along the coastline with an impressive river mouth, stop at the Knysna Lagoon for a romantic sunset cruise, continue to the Little Karoo region with agricultural farms for ostrich breeding, return to the coast in Hermanus to see whales, and pass through the wine route located in the Stellenbosch area, one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in South Africa.
Days 12 to 14 – Cape Town
A visit to the most beautiful city in South Africa and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Ride the cable car up Table Mountain and view the city spread below, tour the city itself among historic sites from the European settlement period and newer areas such as the developed waterfront, and take a walking and driving tour to the Cape of Good Hope area, home to many colonies of marine mammals.
