South Africa Things to Do Tips by Myndo

Mpumalanga Area: Blyde River Canyon etc.

The Area around Graskop is a wonderful Place in Nature and has great Landscapes.

Here you have the Blyde River Canyon and its Nature Reserve. An impressing view and a good place to stay.

Many good Viewpoints like "Gods Window" and "Wonder View" show you the Landscape.

Have a closer look at Berlin Falls and the Lucky Potholes.

The Area is surprisingly well signed, I suppose especially for us Tourists.

(see my Graskop Tips for more info:
My Mpumalanga Pages)

A Tourist Trap (in my opinion) is Pilgrims Rest, the old Gold Mining Town. Too over touristy. The only thing that reminds of the old times are the facades of some buildings,

Address: Graskop Area

Directions: North of Graskop you find (in this order): The Pinnacle, Gods Window, Wonder View, Lisbon Vale, Berlin Falls, Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Abel Erasmus Pass, Hotspruit...

Cape Town - at the Table Mountain

Cape Town - on the far South end of Africa (well, the Cape Peninsula goes down a little farther) is a very beautiful City.
The characteristical landscape - the Table Mountain and the sea and the city nestled into it, kinda stays in your mind.

It is also a very friendly and open minded City and it makes you really forget that South Africa still has its problems after all these years of Apartheid.

The feeling you have there is of relaxed efficiancy.

Here you have the historical sites, can go shopping, in numerous cafes and experience the surroundings. A trip up to the views from Table Mountain is a must (just do not go, when the table cloth is on - the flat clouds that often covers the mountain).
If you can, stay more than just a day or two. It is worth it.

Cape Town tips

Tsitsikamma National Park

Where the brakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores, where ancient rivers cave their path to the ocean down rocky ravines. This is the place of "much water", this is Tsitsikamma National Park.

It is one of my favorite parks in South Africa.
It has a lot of things to do here and to experience nature.

There is the "Otter Trail":
From the beginning at the Oceanettes the Otter trail goes all along this wild coast. Sometimes over cliffs, sometimes through jungle-like forest.
After 3km there is a waterfall. And it is worth visiting. (see tip there). So you can only make this short version of the Trip.

The Suspension Bridge over the Storm River is something else to experience.
Here is also a shorter and easier walk.

Don't forget your Sunlotion and Hat! - the picture shows only one side of the park, as soon as the mist is gone the sun is as hot as everywhere else in Africa.

(See my tips about Tsitsikamma:
My Tsitsikamma pages")

Sabie Sand Wildtuin: next to Kruger

Sabie Sand Wildtuin is a Game Reserve next to the Kruger National Park (right west of it).

It lies around the Sand River and over the Sabie river, hence the name.
The Private Nature Reserve hosts different Bush Camps.

So here is your best chance to see the "big five" (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant) real close up, but in the wild.
Also you get all the information you need and want to know.

These private Camps are the more luxurious way to experience the many animals in and around the Kruger National Park.

(see my Kruger Tips for more information:
My Kruger/Sabie Pages)

Directions: It lies around the Sand River and over the Sabie river,

Famous Kruger National Park

Fonded in 1889 under the Name Sabie Wildpark by Paulus Krüger, renamed in Kruger Ntl Park 1926. Open for Public since 1927.
Today the Park has an Area of 19458 squarekilometers.

The Park hosts 137 species of Mammals, about 450 species of Birds and 1000 species of Reptiles.

Some of the famous Mammals you can find here are: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Zebras, Giraffae, Antelopes etc.

Sometimes they are not so easy to find. Its best to go early in the morning or late afternoon, when its not too hot yet. Also don´t drive to fast or you will miss them, too.

Why did you come here? To see the animals of course!
So go and have a look at them!

I have heard some disapointed voices: "I haven?t really seen many". To this I can only say: it was their own fault. If you just drive through at 60 km/h on the good roads and expect the animals to just lie next to the road .. well , you may get disappointed.

There are some animals right next to the main road, but I say, your chances are better on the side-roads (gravel).
And: drive slow.
Look right and left.
It?s also best to start early in the morning.
And if you see an interesting animal, don?t just make a picture and move on. Wait and watch for a little while. Mostly this pays out.

More here:Kruger Ntl Park

Long Tom Pass

The name "Long Tom Pass" comes from the big gun (see pic) used by the Boer forces in the Anglo Boer War (England against the Buren, from Netherland).

The Area can be astounding green, with woods.
The highest point is 2150m - and a sign pointing it out.

Very funny (well, not really) was the sign which announced the "Tourist Bus Accident 19XX Memorial in 300m.

Directions: Between Sabie and Lydenburg

Botshabello and the Ndebele

The Ndebele (how to pronounce it?) are Natives with a very interesting Style.
You can see it in the houses they build (see picture) as well as in the clothings and jewelry (mostly glass-pearls) they make.

In Botshabelo you can have a look around a Kraal (Village) of them.
But there are also other things to see and do here. There is a historical Village, a Church, a Fort, Horserides, Game drives...

I especially enjoyed the night here in the Caravan Park.
There was a special surprise in it, since here I have seen my first Zebra in the wild (and thought is was a striped horse in the first second)...
Now, where I come from, we have Zebras only in Zoos and Parks. Thats my excuse...

Interesting:
I just learned that J.R.R. Tolkien was born here. He moved to England when he was four.

Directions: on the Thab 'Nchu Road
Bloemfontain district
10km from Middleburg
80km from Groblersdal

Addo Elefant Park

If you have not seen enough Elephants, or if these grey Giants interest you, this is the place to go.

Addo Elephant Park has over 300 Elephants. Number growing.

Also it has Rhinoceros, Antelopes, Ostriches etc etc.

Here also you can go game viewing from your own vehicle.
They have lookout points at several waterholes.
At night, there is a lighted waterhole.
There are walking trails (but in a special safety reserve inside the park)
They also offer guided Game drives.

Gate hours: 7.00 - 19.00 throughout the year.

(Also see tips under Addo)Addo Elefant Ntl Park

Address: Addo Elefant Park

Cape Penguins

The Cape Peninsula National Park, Boulders hosts many Penguins.

First I was a little astounded: Penguins in Africa? But yes, here you can find them.
And not only find. They are so accustomed to humans, that you can get quite close. A lot of them were also sitting on eggs (directly next to the path).
They breed here since 1983, numbers have gone up to over 2000 adult penguins...

No dogs allowed (the reasons are obvious).
You will get a leaflet how to behave: no running or handwaving because this disturbs them. Stay away from nests 1 m

The Area here is called so because of the "boulders", the big round stones you can also see on the picture.

Directions: Cape Peninsula

Proteas - the National Plant

The Protea is the National Plant of South Africa.
It looks (for us Europeans) a little like a big Thistle, but it isn't related.

Proteas do not only grow in Africa. they can also be found in Hawaii etc.

Its a very robust looking plant with quite big, but often not very colorful flowers.

The Kap Region is famous for its many species and the one on the picture I found there, too.

Website: http://protea.worldonline.co.za/speckeys.htm