Regions of South AfricaThe regions of South Africa have been demarcated into the nine provinces of South Africa : Western Cape Northwest Province Limpopo Gauteng Mpumalanga Free State KwaZulu-Natal Eastern Cape Northern CapeGautengGauteng includes South Africa’s mining and financial powerhouse, Johannesburg, and its administrative capital, Pretoria now known as Tshwane. The two cities are increasingly part of one urban region that is the dynamo of the South African economy.Johannesburg – also known as Jo’burg City, Jozi, eGoli or JHB – offers a myriad of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, sports, arts and fun. Pretoria/Tshwane boasts one of the world’s top zoos and the Union Buildings, the seat of government.
Top attractions in JHB include Soweto, the country’s best-known township; the Newtown Precinct, a vibrant arts center; the Apartheid Museum; Gold Reef City and the new Constitutional Court Buildings in Braamfontein. Other major attractions in Gauteng include the Lesedi Cultural Village and the Cradle of Humankind on the West Rand. The latter is a World Heritage Site whose archaeological remains continue to stoke controversy and provide insights. The Tswaing Crater, the Cullinan Diamond Mine and the Hartebeespoort Dam and also major tourist attractions.
Northwest ProvinceThere’s more to this sunny province than Sun City, the country’s original and best-known casino, entertainment and holiday center, with its world-famous golf course.
The Pilanesberg National Park offers big-game viewing in a malaria-free environment. Other attractions include cultural villages such as Moruleng, the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre and Boekenhoutfontein, former state president Paul Kruger’s restored homestead.
LimpopoSituated in the north-eastern corner of South Africa, only two hours drive from Johannesburg, Limpopo offers warm hospitality, mysterious and alluring African culture (including the Rain Queen, who inspired H Rider Haggard’s She), wide open spaces, dramatic mountain ranges and sacred lakes create a diverse province which is home to the Venda, North Sotho and Tsonga peoples. The famous “upside down: Baobab Tree is found to the North. The Waterberg, Soutpansberg and Magoebaskloof offer hiking trails, waterfalls and crystal clear pools. Malaria-free game viewing in the Waterberg and championship golf courses, are amongst the attractions in this region.MpumalangaMpumalanga, “the place of the rising sun”, offers the zenith of game viewing in the Kruger National Park as well as various private game reserves, many of which are known worldwide. But the province also offers waterfalls, mountains and adventure activities. Other major attractions include the Blyde River canyon and the historic village of Pilgrim’s Rest. The region is home to the Shangaan people as well as the Lowveld, escarpment and bushveld. The romance of the early pioneers and the gold rush lives on at Pilgrim’s rest, a quaint village with many original buildings. From Sabie it is an easy drive to the Mac-Mac Falls and Bourkes-luck potholes. With its sub-tropical climate, the area is famous for fruit, such as litchis, mangoes and bananas.KwaZulu-NatalRich in tribal history, KwaZulu-Natal - the majestic Zulu Kingdom, offers a wide choice for the tourist – from golden beaches of the warm Indian Ocean to the Drakensberg mountains, explorations of Zulu culture and traditions in their authentic villages, historic battlefields such as those of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift where the glorious battles of the Zulu Empire were fought with Boers and British settlers and world-famous game reserves of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi where the white rhino was saved from extinction, to other smaller private game reserves. In addition to Durban, South Africa’s official playground, major attractions in the region include two World Heritage Sites – the Drakensberg and St Lucia Wetlands Park. Excellent diving and snorkeling takes place along coral reefs. Endurance-sports fans flock to the Comrades and the Duzi Canoe marathons.Eastern CapeThe Eastern cape is a popular holiday destination, with its 1000km coastline, stunning, unspoilt beaches, safe, warm bathing; and spectacular scenery in locations such as Port Elizabeth and East London. Malaria-free game parks feature the ‘Big 5’ and tourists can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities and sports.
Major tourist attractions include the Tsitsikamma National Park and Marine reserve, the greatly expanded Addo National Park, world-class surfing at Jeffrey’s bay, the Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata and the Owl House in Nieu Bethesda.
Free StateWedged between the magnificent Orange and Vaal rivers, is the Free State. Its capital Bloemfontein, houses the provincial government and the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal. Major tourism attractions in the province include the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the Vaal Dam and the Anglo-Boer Battlefield Route. From the scenic Eastern Highlands with its magnificent sandstone cliffs to the golden maize fields, the Free State is known as “Big Sky Country”. In the heart of South Africa, this is the ideal stopover between the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal or Gauteng. A number of homes are on farms where true Free State hospitality is offered to travelers, and the hosts in towns also extend a warm welcome.Northern CapeThe Northern Cape, a prime destination for nature lovers, is renowned for its southern Kalahari scenery and Richtersveld desert. It is home to ‘the worlds first people’, the San/Bushmen, the Griqua and the Nama, and offers a great annual display of wild flowers. The region is also home to six national parks: the Kgalagadi Transfrontier; Richtersveld; Vallbos; Namaqua; Tankwa-Karoo and Augrabies Falls – the site of the world’s 6th highest waterfall. Kimberley, one of the most famous diamond-mining sites in the world, boasts the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum.Western CapeCape Town and the Western Cape is a place like no other. Blessed with a huger diversity of cultures and an inspiring heritage, it offers a cosmopolitan combination of people and places against a backdrop of awe-inspiring scenic wonders and some best beaches you’re likely to find anywhere in the world! Southern Africa’s most beautiful, most romantic and most romantic and most visited region, Cape Town and the Western Cape region is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Along with its striking natural assets and vibrant, diverse cultures, the region boasts a plethora of unique locations and activities, making for limitless possibilities and unforgettable experiences. Scenic beauty, friendly people, immense cultural diversity, captivating wildlife, breathtaking beauty all conspire to make this an inspired choice to visit. |