South Africa
Far Away on the Map, but Always Close to Our Hearts.
They say there’s no place like home and nothing could be more true. Although we’ve set out to travel the world, due to our insatiable thirst for adventure, South Africa will always be our home. South Africa is an incredible country and definitely one of the world’s must see destinations.
Its Natural Beauty
South Africa is a country blessed with natural beauty beyond compare. From the forests of the southern coast to the vast expanse of the Kalahari desert, there is seemingly no end to the diversity of the country’s flora. In fact, the country is one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries, harbouring around 22,000 endemic plant species. The same is true of its fauna. It is home to Africa’s big five as well as countless other indigenous wildlife species. As a result, the country is well-known for its Eco-tourism and plentiful wildlife reserves. The biggest and most famous of all its reserves is undoubtedly the Kruger National Park.
Its People
The people of South Africa are as diverse as its fauna and flora. The country boasts with, an incredible, 11 official languages and a good number more ethnicities. Across the board, South Africans tend to be friendly and hospitable people with a good sense of humour and the ability to laugh about the woefulness of life. They take pride in telling stories and celebrate their passion at every possible opportunity. Consequently, they are some of the best storytellers in the world and you will be hard-pressed to find better. Apart from telling stories, they are also absolutely mad about partying, having a braai and playing rugby.
Its Food
South African food. What else is there to say? If you go to South Africa only to taste the food, it will already be a worthwhile trip. Like everything else in the country, its culinary diversity is unmatched. It offers numerous native dishes that have been influenced by cultures from all around the world. With all the delectable flavours it is hard to shy away from this mouthwatering taste-bud-challenge.
Aside from its exquisite food, South Africa also offers some of the best wines and beers in the world. Its wineries were founded by the French Huguenots fleeing persecution in France. This, together with the Cape’s Mediterranean climate which is ideally suited for wine making, has resulted in world class wines with a South African twist.
Last but not least is the country’s tea. “Rooibos” tea (red bush) is a tea made from a shrub that is endemic to South Africa and grows exclusively in the Western Cape. The tea has a red colour when brewed and contains no caffeine. It is a popular drink in South Africa and is definitely one of its unique flavours to explore.
Its History
Despite being a relatively young country, South Africa has a rich history. It is this rich history that has been the main contributor to the country’s exceptional diversity. The country is called home by people whose ancestry can be traced back to countries all over the world, including the Netherlands, France, Germany, Britain, Portugal, India and Malaysia. The migrations of these peoples were influenced by a number of factors, some of which were outside of their control. Today they all call South Africa home and continue to influence the culture of the country in their own unique way.
Our Thoughts on Travelling in South Africa
We have travelled far and wide within the borders of South Africa and experienced a vast amount of what it has to offer. After travelling to China we realised just how daunting it can be to find your way while wandering abroad. So we decided to share our thoughts on travelling in South Africa in the hope of helping others to experience the awe-inspiring country that it is.
