South Africa
Regions and Towns
1 Western Cape
2 Eastern
Cape
3 Northern Cape
4
Free State
5 KwaZulu-Natal
6 Mpumalanga
7
Gauteng
8 Limpopo Province
(Northern Province)
9
North West
WESTERN CAPE
 Sir Francis Drake described it as "the
fairest Cape in all the circumference of the World." Situated at the foot of
Table Mountain, Cape Town is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities
in the world, offering outstanding interest and variety to the visitor.
Blending the old with the new, it has a relaxed, almost continental atmosphere
that will charm even the most sophisticated jet-setter.
East of Cape
Town are the famous winelands, around the towns of Stellenbosch and Paarl. The
old estate houses are built in the attractive Cape Dutch style and there are
plenty opportunities for sampling the vintages. To the east of Cape Town, set
along a rugged coastline, are a number of quaint fishing villages and
picturesque resorts.
Further into the interior is Namaqualand, a semi
-desert area until the rains of June or July turn the arid countryside into a
spectacular floral splay in August or September.
 East of Cape Town is the Garden
Route. Indigenous. forests, lakes, golden beaches and mountains contrast with
semi-arid expanses. This enchanting area stretches along the South Cape Coast
from the town of Heidelberg, eastwards to the Tsitsitkamma Forest and Storms
River. Riverdale, Still Bay, Albertina, Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna
and Plettenberg Bay are some of the towns that are included in this area.
Inland from the Garden Route is the semi-desert Little Karoo, the location of
ostrich farms, particularly around the town of Oudtshoorn. In the Swartberg
Mountains (photo 39Kb) are the spectacular Cango Caves, (photo 56Kb) with their limestone formations.
Click for Hotels and Accommodation in the Western Cape
region
Photographs from the Western Cape Region
| Recommended Maps |
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Western Cape Tourist Atlas
Published by Map Studio
28 pages of road maps covering the Western Cape showing major routes,
secondary roads, places of interest, 38 pages of the main tourist areas
featuring Scenic routes, Historical sites, National Parks, Nature Reserves,
Hiking trails, Wineries and ACCOMODATION, 38 pages of street maps of the major
towns, 33 index pages to Place Names, Streets, ACCOMODATION, Places of Interest
and General Information
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Other Websites
overberginfo.com
Definitive guide to the Overberg : the
southern most region of Africa - events, business listings, accommodation,
travel & adventure, community organisations etc. Very local feel.
Tulbagh Information
A
comprehensive Information Portal to the Tulbagh Valley in the Western Cape,
South Africa
EASTERN
CAPE
Thetsitsikamma Forest runs into the Eastern Cape, a
province steeped in history as well as blessed with beautiful beaches and
rugged mountain scenery. This is the birthplace of President Nelson Mandela and
is the melting pot of three cultures, Xhosa, British and Afrikaner. It is here
that battles took place between the early English settlers and the Xhosa.
The country's longest and most magnificent coastline runs from the rugged
Tsistikamma Forest area through the famed surfing spots of Jeffreys Bay to the
golden beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the Wild Coast.
The coast is
dotted with relaxing holiday resorts. Many resorts comprise only a cluster of
houses and shops but boast sports facilities such as bowling greens and tennis
courts. There are also some excellent spots for fishermen.
Inland are
the wooded Amatola Mountains, a paradise for hikers, climbers and trout
fishermen, as well as the brooding Karoo Desert. Visitors to the East Cape can
experience scenic beauty and the life of villages unwind in a rural retreat or
explore the bustling city life. This region includes the major seaport of Port
Elizabeth, known as "The Friendly City".
There are also two national
parks containing unique sub-species, the
Mountain Zebra National Park
and the Addo Elephant National
Park, the last refuge of the Cape Elephant, and several private reserves.
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Eastern Cape region
| Recommended Map
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Eastern Cape
Tourist Atlas - 2002 (Maps Worldwide)
Published by Map Studio
28 pages
of road maps covering the Eastern Cape showing major routes, secondary roads,
places of interest, 34 pages of the main tourist areas featuring Scenic routes,
Historical sites, National Parks, Nature Reserves, Hiking trails, Dive sites,
Fishing and ACCOMODATION, 36 pages of street maps of the major towns, 22 index
pages to Place Names, Streets, ACCOMODATION, Places of Interest and General
Information |
Other Websites
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari is the southern most private game reserve in Africa, located
in a malaria-free area. Internationally recognised for its conservation
efforts, linked to tourism.
Grahamstown Tourism Office
Information on Grahamstown,
Africa's Festival Capital and heart of Frontier Country. All you need to know
about Grahamstown including accommodation, restaurants, attractions, transport
etc.
NORTHERN CAPE
The Rugged Regions of the Northern
Cape appeal to those seeking broad horizons and peace and quiet. It is an area
of outstanding natural beauty and contains the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park,
set in the rolling dunes of the Kalahari Desert. The park is home to the
magnificent gemsbok antelope, as well as the delicate springbok and the
Kalahari lion, with its distinctive black mane. To the south is the Augrabies
Falls National Park, where the river plunges nearly 200 feet into a narrow
ravine.
The entire region has only one major town, Upington, the
jumping-off point for the Kalahari, the Augrabies Falls and Fish River Canyon,
and one city, Kimberley. Kimberley has been dubbed the "City of Diamonds" and
its Big Hole bears testament to the diamond-rush days of the last century.
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Cape region
| Recommended Map |
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North Cape (Maps Worldwide)
Sheet map
A pocket-sized map of the North Cape. The features include: national
routes; numbered routes; tarred roads; road distances; cities and towns; game
and nature reserves; border control posts; places of interest; and historic
sites. |
FREE STATE
 This
landlocked province between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in
the south is an area of wide, open spaces - an immense rolling prairie,
checkered with farmsteads and windmills. Hospitality is one of the province's
prized assets and a Free State farm holiday offers a unique opportunity to get
to know the friendly people who inhabit this region. One of South Africa's
major rivers, the Vaal the flows through the province and there are attractive
holiday resorts near two of the river's largest dams.
The mountains
of the eastern highlands harbour romantic hideaways and rugged hiking Park in
the trails. The Golden Gate National Park in the north-east, with its
spectacular sandstone formations, an area of scenic beauty, has a network of
nature trails and provides the opportunity to see a variety of antelope and
birdlife. The adjoining Qwaqwa National Park is sanctuary to rare species of
vulture. Other protected areas include the Mount Everest Game Reserve at
Harrismith and the Seekoeivlie Nature Reserve, a birdwatchers' paradise near
the small town of Memel. Qwaqwa and many other parts of the Free State are home
to the South Sotho people and their culture can be appreciated at the Basotho
Cultural Village.
Capital of the Free State is Bloemfontein, known as the
'City of Roses'
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Accommodation in the Free State
| Recommended Map |
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Map of Free State Province (Maps Worldwide)
Sheet map
A pocket-sized map of the Orange Free State. The features
include: national routes; numbered routes; tarred roads; road distances; cities
and towns; game and nature reserves; border control posts; places of interest;
and historic sites. . |
KWAZULU-NATAL
KwaZulu-Natal is one of South
Africa's smallest provinces encompassing the territory known as Zululand
towards the north. Near Eshowe visitors can stay in typical Zulu villages (with
beehive shaped, thatched huts). In this region area number of important
wildlife conservation areas, including award-winning Hluhluwe/ Umfolozi public
game reserve, where the white rhino was saved from extinction, and the coral
reefs and water wonderland of the St Lucia 'estuary and Lake St. Lucia.
To the west are the soaring peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, with
protected public parks from which the magnificent scenery can be enjoyed. This
region is famed for its proliferation of ancient rock paintings by the San
(Bushmen), South Africa's original inhabitants.
The province is also
known for its Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battlefield sites. At its heart is the
city of Pietermaritzburg. With its "olde worlde" dignity it is affectionately
referred to as "The Last Outpost of the British Empire". The Midlands region
boasts excellent country hotels, arts and craft routes, white water rafting on
the Tugela River, trout fishing and wonderful scenery.
KwaZulu-Natal's sub-tropical climate makes it the haunt of sunbathers, swimmers
and watersports enthusiasts all-year-round. Cities and towns, such as Umhlanga
Rocks, have well-developed resort areas, geared for looking after demanding
tourists. Durban, with its "golden mile" of modern hotels and restaurants, has
been dubbed South Africa's "Sunshine Playground"
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State
MPUMALANGA
This is one of the premier tourist
areas of South Africa offering a variety of tourist routes, each with its own
special attractions. An appealing diversity of cultures, featuring some of the
most colourful and interesting tribal groupings in the country, is a particular
highlight.
Mpumalanga is a sportsman's paradise. There are golf
courses in some of the province's most scenic areas. Hang-gliding,
micro-lighting and para-gliding are popular and hiking is available throughout
the province with the world-renowned Kruger National Park offering guided walks
for small groups. Large dams provide the opportunity for watersports whilst
dams and streams in the high country attract trout anglers.
The
landscapes of the Escarpment is dramatic. The eastern faces of the mountains
are particularly steep, plunging hundreds of metres down to the
Kruger National Park and
Mozambique. The Blyde River Canyon, one of the great natural features of
Southern Africa and the third largest canyon in the world, is a majestic, red
sandstone gorge whose almost sheer cliff-face plunges nearly a kilometre below.
Dominating the gorge are the triple peaks known as the "Three Rondavels".
The Blyde River Botanical Reserve is situated in South Africa’s Blyde
River Canyon, which is renowned for its breath-taking beauty, and its towering
peaks, broad, fast-flowing rivers and green indigenous forest. (see site for
full information)
Gold diggers, transport-riders and big game hunters
roamed the area and have left behind a fascinating history. 'Re village of
Pilgrim's Rest is a national monument where visitors are transported back to
the days of the early gold rush of the late 19th century. Other tourist
attractions, Barberton, Sabi and the Long Tom Pass an intriguing glimpse into a
colourful pa The area known as the Lowveld is the haunt big game. West of the
Kruger National Park number of private game reserves, each with its own
distinct character.
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Accommodation in the Mpumalanga
Kruger2Canyons.com
a comprehensive guide to the Central Lowveld, encompassing the Kruger National
Park and the Blyde River Canyon.
GAUTENG
This province is the commercial heart
of South Africa containing the important cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Despite the urbanisation of the Johannesburg region, opportunities for getting
back to nature bound. Game farms, dams lakes and rivers (for watersports and
fishing, hiking trails), and picnic spots are plentiful and the Vaal River area
is a particularly popular recreational area.
The province is
described as "The Heartbeat of Africa". Johannesburg, known as the "City of
Gold" or Egoli, is the commercial powerhouse of South Africa.
Pretoria is about 30 miles north of Johannesburg is the country's
administrative capital, is known as 'Jacaranda City' after the purple-blossomed
trees which bloom in such profusion in later September-October, the South
African spring time. It is a fascinating melting pot of different culture -
South Africa is one city. Outside the city are bushveld game farms as well as
more than 100 nature reserves and bird sanctuaries of which the Rietvlei Nature
Reserve is the largest
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Accommodation in the Gauteng
| Recommended Map |
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Click to puchase Gauteng Map (Maps Worldwide)
Sheet
map
This map of Gauteng has been revamped and updated into "Eazimap"
format. It consists of the Gauteng area map on the front and the ring road,
airport routes and directions to Pretoria on the back. Included are tarred
routes, minor roads, hotels, hospitals, parks and places of interest.
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LIMPOPO PROVINCE (formally Northern Province)
Here is a region of vastness and variety, with a culturally rich and diverse
people. The NI from Johannesburg literally splits the province in two,
providing tourists with easy access to all areas.
The Southern Region
is famous for its many hot spring resorts, the Nylsvlei wetland and the
unspoilt mountains and flowing streams of the Waterberg. Wildlife in the game
reserves is abundant and the scenery ranges from rolling hills to mighty cliffs
of stark red rock.
To the east lies the immense wildlife heritage of
the Kruger National Park. By
contrast, visitors can breathe in the cool evening air amongst the mountains
and rivers of the lowveld. This unhurried and timeless region is known as "The
Valley of the Olifants" (Elephants).
In the centre is the vibrant
capital city of Pietersburg - the industrial and commercial heart of the Great
North. Here gold was first mined and smelted in the 19th century. The very
earliest hominid fossils were discovered close by, in the historic caves of the
Makapan Valley.
Sweeping across from the Northwest - and flowing
along the northern border - is the Limpopo River Valley, a vast, natural area
with cultures that date back to the Iron Age. Here are hilltop fortifications,
and San (Bushmen) paintings and cave dwellings unchanged from the ancient
past.
To the west lies the real bushveld, almost endless except for
the hazy blue of distant mountains. Amongst the tangle of vegetation grow old
baobab trees, their branches looking like roots thus creating a striking
silhouette against a fiery sunset.
This is a land of legend, ruins
and relies. The Venda people are intensely superstitious and place great store
in rites and rituals. In the python dance, teenage girls perform a slow,
rhythmic dance to the throb of drums. Part of the folklore of the North Sotho
people is the legendary Rain Queen, Modjadji, while the Tsonga produce
beautiful arts and crafts.
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Accommodation in the Limpopo Province
NORTH-WEST
The North West is home to the Batswana
people, who produce exceptionally fine works of art and outstanding curios. A
well-known tourist attraction is Sun City, a fabulous resort complex which
includes The Palace at the Lost City, Africa's most extravagant hotel. Sun City
and the Lost City attract top international entertainers, provide exceptional
sporting facilities, including two championship golf courses, and feature
casinos, excellent restaurants and night-clubs. But there is much more to be
discovered in this "Big Heart Country" province.
It boasts some
excellent game reserves - such as the 60,000 hectare
Pilanesberg National Park,
adjoining Sun City and the newly created reserve of
Madikwe, close to the Botswana
border, which covers 75,000 hectares and has been stocked with over 10,000
animals in a project known as Operation Phoenix.
The province also
includes Stellaland, in the Vryburg area, described as the "Texas of South
Africa", where large cattle farms and game ranches are to be found. The
province abounds in resorts, game lodges, guest houses and bed & breakfast
accommodation. The "Diamond Route" runs from Bakerville through Wolmaransstad
and Christiana to Kimberley. Active diamond digging still takes place and is on
offer as a tourist attraction. Near Christiana is a thermal spring resort and
game reserve famous for rhino. Hiking and canoeing trails are located near
Potchefstroom, Greet Marico and Rustenburg.
At Taung a plaque marks
the spot where, in 1924, the front of the hominid skull of the Taung Child was
found in a lime quarry. This was the first fossil of the so-called African
"man-ape" to be discovered.
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and Accommodation in the Limpopo Province
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