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If you are ready to travel to Southern Africa, there are some interesting tips you may want to know before booking your holiday. Our aim is to produce as widely based a record of people and places as possible, as to both location and subjects.

1. An important factor when travelling to Southern Africa is to know about the diverse people’s heritage and culture, the vibrancy and pride of the culturally rich tribes, the battlefields, having a sundowner at the Frontier Country with the best wine South Africa has to offer and visit the many miles of golden beaches, the fourth best coastal weather in the world. There are many playgrounds and there isn’t anything that this jewel of Africa doesn’t offer the traveller looking for thrills and excitement. With vibrant cities, coastlines, the desert and the Big Seven it’s hard to know where to begin.

2. Another important consideration for travelling to Southern Africa is knowing about safety. It’s critical that you keep a list of emergency numbers close at hand in case of an emergency. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery and do not show large amounts of money. The recommended way if you see any suspect activity, or experience an emergency call the South African police emergency number at 10111.

But remember, fear is also the ruling emotion alike of the most timid wild animals. Of course each wild animal keeps a mental list of the other animals of which he is not afraid; and the predatory animal also keeps a card catalogue of those which he may safely attack when in need of food. But, with all due consideration to mighty forearm, to deadly claws and stabbing fangs, there is absolutely no land animal that is not afraid of something. The wolf and the lynx carefully avoid the mountain lion and the black bear, the lion and the leopard, all live in wholesome fear of man, and flee from him at sight.

3. You don’t have to fall in love with South Africa or Namibia! All you need to do is feel, taste, see and enjoy the vibe it offers all year round. There is plenty to roar about like the coming 2010 Soccer World Cup, good weather, exclusive shopping, culinary delicacies, a magical coastline, fun beach resorts, lagoons with no threat of crocodiles or bilharzia, dolphins, penguins and shipwrecks, the valley of kings, mountains of mystery, desert, golf, sangomas, medicine woman, great entertainment and activities to embark on your journey of discovery. The country was divided into 9 provinces (states) in 1994. The provinces are Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo and Gauteng. The great cost-effectiveness for food, drinks and accommodation allows you to live in comfort and style. The culinary delicacies are plenty and fortunately, the food experience reflects the natural resources of the area.

4. In fact, if you visit Johannesburg, the “City of Gold” or Cape Town, the “Mother City” you will find both are fantastic to experience African jazz groups, genuine story telling, chill out places and pubs, and shopping de luxe. When in Cape Town – take a trip to the wine country, hike the top of the Table Mountain or continue the Garden Route up to the Kruger National Park and Sun City. Make sure your journey takes you through the Eastern Cape towards KwaZulu-Natal, a World Heritage Site, through the tropical savannahs of Zululand where the “big five”, elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard inhabit Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. Discover the peace and sanctity of nature and capture more of Africa’s wild game.

5. Have you considered the pleasant temperatures throughout the year. It is not as difficult as you might think to  travel through the heart of South Africa and recapture the romance and the atmosphere aboard the Rovos Rail. Step aboard the wood paneled coaches and enjoy five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Many colourful tribes, hearty and affectionate people, traditional dancing, cooking, singing and cultural entertainment and the best golf courses the world has to offer.

6. Discover a whole world in a country, where the natural beauty starts right outside the city gates. KALAHARI, the north-western part of South Africa, where the Orange River marks its southern limit. The Kalahari is one of the biggest eco-systems in the world; a dynamic interaction between plants, animals, and microorganisms and their environment on working together as a functional unit. Travelling in odd times, in out-of-the-way prospecting camps, in the wilds of the Kalahari Desert, it must be borne in mind, for once the sand region bordering the coast is traversed, and the higher plateau begins, vegetation and water become more abundant.; whilst in the north much fruitful and well watered country teeming with game.

7. For those who think they have “seen it all”, for adventure travellers in search of the ultimate, there is the planet’s preeminent big animal adventure. Experienced travellers to Southern Africa boast of having seen the traditional “big five”, lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, and elephants. To these the big two of African scuba diving, underwater photography have been added – the great white shark and the whale shark-for an experience unprecedented in the world of adventure travel.

A curious thing about South Africa is – you may dislike it or fall under its charm, but in any case it nearly always calls you back, as it did in our case; despite of any bad news. Slow down and enjoy every minute of Southern Africa! The hospitality and warmth of the people, the natural scenic beauty of the many places was my inspiration to tell you about this part of the world, where my family and I had spent most of our lives. One thing for sure, whether you travel in style, with great guides, on planned itineraries, by yourself, stay in top-rated hotels or lodges, you get looked well after wherever you go.

So if you really want to travel to Southern Africa follow these tips and enjoy your vacation.