Kruger National Park, Wild Africa
To every lord, the most beautiful national park in South Africa alone justifies a trip to the southernmost African country. Located north of the country, the border of Mozambique, this 20,000 km 2 park is one of the most beautiful reserves in the world. At the Kruger, we become very small, a fascinating spectator of wild life and immemorial law. The public camps offered by the reserve are clean, well-made, comfortable, good and cheap. The luckiest ones will offer a stay in one of the sumptuous private lodges nestled in the park, where the «wild luxury», combining high-end benefits and such a special ambience of safari, will leave no voice. Every visitor quickly becomes aware of the privilege he has to be in a unique place in the world. On each visit, the purpose of visitors remains the same: see the Big Five as quickly as possible. If you have the chance to cross a lion, an elephant, a rhinoceros, a buffalo and a leopard, it will be done!
The south-west of the park is covered with thorny shrubs, the acacias dominate along the rivers, an ideal area to fall nose with rhinos or buffalo. Girafes and Zebras have their habits near the Olifants River in the eastern half of the park. Around Punda Maria, sandy veld houses a wide variety of birds, which greatly excite South Africans. Finally, to the north, towards Pafuri, the décor becomes tropical.
Cape, a little corner of paradise
The Kruger Park is far from the only one in the well-guarded sleeve of South Africa. The Cape region, among others, offers wonderful, much smaller but equally interesting reservations. The Cape region is a small corner of paradise. Life is beautiful and sweet, between sea, mountains, parks and vineyards. In Cape Town, you can visit the Table Mountain National Park (Table Mountain), visit Simon's Town penguins colony, end with a splendid sunset on Chapman's Peak or a fabulous dinner in one of the Bay's trendy restaurants. Everything in a single day!
A little north of Cape Town extends majestically to the wine region. Not only are South African wines extremely attractive from a value-value perspective, but the best products compete with the good wines of the world's major wine-growing regions.
Johannesburg, the country's economic heart
Johannesburg, the most modern city in South Africa and a real economic lung, intrigue through its experience and numerous museums reflecting the history of this young country.
There are few tourists, however, who drag on to «Jozi». Its region, Gauteng, has been inhabited since the dawn of times as evidenced by the numerous bones found in Sterkfontein, renamed "the cradle" of humanity. But it was from 1886 that Johannesburg was interested in the world: the first gold mine was discovered by George Harrison, while he was digging the ground to build a wall near his farm.
Before you venture to Johannesburg, you'll better find out about neighborhoods to avoid. The CBD (Central Business District) remains very dangerous. The deserted center is in the suburbs that life takes its course. Rich neighborhoods are located north of the city. Sandton is the most popular area.
It is now the economic center of the country, with its lad restaurants, shopping centers and luxury boutiques. There are plenty of activities nearby. Just 30 minutes away, you can spend a day with lions and their lionams; A little further away is Hartebeespoort, a huge, artificial lake, surrounded by mountains where beautiful guest rooms are nestled. An unfailing site is the Cradle of Humankind. The place is incredibly beautiful and you learn everything you need to know about the appearance of man.
Gastronomy like the country
The diversity of the country is found in the plate. If you ask a South African what the country's culinary specialty is, you will never have the same answer! The English will vote for poai, this barbecue with friends or with family; The Afrikaners will agree on the coil, kind of mingle with curry, or biltong, spicy red meat. The Indians will talk to you about bunny chow, curry of curry curry. Finally, blacks will not spend a meal without their Pap and Chakalaka (corn flour and accompanied by tomato and onions). One thing is sure, South African restaurants will not leave you on your hunger, and a whole life would not be enough to turn around!
If you are carnivorous, South Africa offers exceptional quality meat. Beef filets cut out like butter, and ribs (through pork) are tasty to wish.
Hand on the heart
The meeting with the rooms will always leave beautiful memories. One thing is certain: South Africans have their hands on the heart. Making friends or meeting around the country is very easy. South Africans usually find themselves around a cool beer this weekend, before the weekly BBQ. If you approach people, they will gladly invite you to their table for a drink, share good plans and good addresses with pride, and could even propose as a guide! For South Africans love their country and it seems they would not leave for nothing in the world. With eleven official languages, Christian European traditions, a syncretic tribal African culture, descendants of Muslim slaves and Hindu Indians, the rainbow nation, so dear to Nelson Mandela, was able to remain, despite the country's political and economic instability, welded and united. Surely South Africa will make you see all the colors!
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When is it? All year round. Prefer summer for the beaches of Kwazulu Natal (November to May), spring
to visit the Kruger Park, the Kalahari Desert or other reserves.
Go there. Average price of a Paris-Le Cap flight: from € 725 to € 1,080. Paris-Johannesburg: from € 550 to € 1,000. Air France offers one to two flights per day for Johannesburg, without a stopover.
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
