Shoppers Magazine 02

SIMBA SHOPPERS MAGAZINE - THE CHRISTMAS ISSUE
Johannesburg
South Africa’s pulsating African heartbeat
is felt in the ‘City of Gold’ with its
endless opportunities for shopping,
entertainment, freedom tours and eating
out. Johannesburg is the place to go to
mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and
nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close
wildlife encounters and visits to historical
sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or
visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy
dinner at a hip cafe or five-star restaurant.
And if you’re a shopper, bring an extra,
empty suitcase. With malls, open-air
markets and places that blend the two,
you’ll find plenty of unique souvenirs.
Robben Island
The island’s most famous prisoner, Nelson
Mandela, has turned this institute of
brutality into a symbol of the triumph of
the human spirit over enormous hardship.
Kruger National Park
This world-renowned park of nearly 2
million hectares features 16 ecosystems.
Spot the Big Five on a 4x4 game drive or
walking safari. For those a less expensive
option, Kruger National Park has a
number of spotlessly clean rest camps
with accommodation to suit every need.
These range from basic huts and tents with
communal washing facilities to more luxury
bungalows with en-suite bathrooms and
other modern conveniences.
Soweto
South Africa’s largest and most famous
township was a hotbed of anti-apartheid
activity. Visit Freedom Struggle sites and
eat at a shebeen or township restaurant.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Most famous for God’s Window, the
panoramic splendour of the Blyde River
Canyon makes it ideal for scenic drives and
hiking trails.
Durban beachfront
For those with fun and sun on their minds,
SA’s sunshine city has something for the
whole family - golden beaches, surfing and
a marine park.
South Africa has a temperate climate and is known for its long sunny days, hence the title: ‘Sunny
South Africa’. Most of the provinces have summer rainfall, except for the Western Cape (winter
rainfall).
Winter is from May to August; Spring from September to October; Summer from November to
February and Autumn is from March to April.
Wild Coast
Rugged and untamed, the Wild Coast offers
deserted beaches, dolphins, horseback and
hiking trails, cosy hotels, golf, gambling,
mystical history, Xhosa heritage and the
Hole-in-the-Wall.
All in all, it will take much more than one
short trip to take in all that South Africa
has to offer. I would know; since my very
first trip into Johannesburg in the year
2000, I have gone back numerous times,
and my appetite for the place seems
insatiable.
A trip highly recommended during
this Christmas period.
Merry Christmas
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