South Africa 2017

8
Did you know?
Top left: KwaZulu-Natal’s
coastline. Bottom left: Penguins
at Boulders Beach; AfrikaBurn,
an event held annually in
the Tankwa Karoo; Monster
Mountain Scooters
Due to its sheer size and diversity, South Africa
throws up plenty of surprises for visitors. If you
think you know all about the Rainbow Nation, read on!
Snow wonder: You can ski and snowboard at South
Africa’s only alpine resort, Tiffindell, 2,720 metres
above sea level on Ben McDhui mountain in the southern
Drakensberg, Eastern Cape. The ski season runs from the end
of May to the end of August.
Beach life: KwaZulu-Natal’s 120km coastline is lined
with pristine beaches that can be enjoyed year-round
in its sub-tropical climate in resorts such as Ballito, Umhlanga,
Margate, Ramsgate, San Lameer and Southbroom. All
swimming beaches have shark nets.
Surf or dive: Action-seekers can go surfing off Durban or
try shark cage-diving and snorkelling at top diving site
Aliwal Shoal, 45 minutes south of Durban. Surfing dudes also
congregate on the beaches of Port Elizabeth. faliwalshoal.co.za
Burn, baby burn: Unusual South Africa festivals include
AfrikaBurn, a regional event of America’s Burning Man, held
each April on an isolated farm in the Northern Cape desert just
outside Tankwa Karoo National Park. It involves music, colourful
costumes, wacky vehicles and giant art installations, some of
which are burnt at the festival’s end. afrikaburn.com
Monster thrills: Enjoy an exhilarating
downhill ascent on Monster Mountain
Scooters at Table Mountain (Cape Town),
Garden Route National Park (Kynsna) and the
Drakensberg Mountains (KwaZulu-Natal).
features 'Lizzie' the articulated T-Rex, by art
collective Fata Morgana
With over 560
wineries and
4,400 producers,
South Africa’s
Winelands offer
ample tasting
opportunies.
Visit during the
autumn harvest
(February-April),
when the weather
is warm and
winds are light
Tee off: Enjoy world-class championhsip golf for
amazing value on courses that include include Fancourt
Resort near George and Sun City’s two Gary Player-designed
layouts in the North Wet. A round at top-rated Durban Country
Club costs just R565 (about £33), and R160 (£10) plus a
discretionary tip for a caddy.
Animal magic: You don’t have to be in a game reserve to
spot wildlife. See zebras on Table Mountain, penguins at
Boulders Beach near Cape Town or Stony Point near
Hermanus, ostriches around Oudtshoorn, sea lions in Hout Bay
and baboons at Cape Point.
Seal of approval: Playful, wild Cape fur seals often
interact with snorkellers on shallow-water snorkelling
trips to Duiker Island, in Cape Town’s Hout Bay, which is home
to 5,000 of the mammals. Cool Atlantic waters and thick kelp
forests help keep the sharks away.
Sex and grub: Ronnies Sex Shop is actually a remote
pub on Route 62 (90 minutes/150km from Oudtshoorn)
in the Klein Karoo that’s now a popular pitstop after it was
renamed from Ronnies Shop to drum up passing trade. Its
restaurant is called the Roadkill Café.
High drinks: Africa’s highest pub is located 2,873
metres up in the Sani Mountain Lodge, at the top of
spectacular 4x4 trail Sani Pass in KwaZulu-
Natal’s Drakensberg Mountains, bordering
Lesotho. The Sunlands Baobab Bar has
been serving customers from inside a huge,
hollowed-out baobab tree on a mango farm
near Tzaneen, Limpopo, since 1933.
saspecialist.southafrica.net