May

South Africa - The Jewel of Africa

the-south-africa-city

Visit the most prosperous country in Africa is a whirlwind of emotions. Among tropical forests, dream beaches, more than 100 volcanoes, about 12 000 species of plants and thousands of other animal species, learn about South Africa is an experience for life.

End of line. Earth end and new beginnings, hopes and storms, where the giant African continent ends and joins the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, where East and West greet, South Africa is a country of meetings, cross over the centuries by various cultures and civilizations and incorporating each of them influences, beliefs, knowledge - and flavors. The result is a vibrant and multicultural country, the pride of Africa and increasingly on the radar of the world.

The completion of the 2010 World Cup was an opportunity to reveal a modern country, proud and enterprising. Thousands of fans flocked to the tip of Africa and found the hospitality of the South African cities and people's ability to perform. But this time we chose another path. We move away from big cities and take the scenic road, losing in the countryside, inspiring us with the sights and gaining balance for the dip in the most savage nature, "chasing" the big five in one of the best places for safaris throughout the world. The starting point, inevitably, is the city where it all began, this place at the end of the continent whose name says it all its history and its character: the Cape Town .

JEWEL OF AFRICA
The iconic Table Mountain to the sea extends one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Founded in 1652 by early Dutch settlers to Cape Town is a little gem of historic streets and bustling markets, where we can stop and enjoy the buzz, the way to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, where it feels to sit and sample the
Excellent seafood, washed down with local wine.

See the Castle of Good Hope, founded by the Dutch, and then jumped to the prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was, is to bridge the gap between past and present of South Africa - between the European settlement of yesterday and the country proud Today. To experience lighter, nothing like discovering the fantastic beaches of this region. With time, preferably, because the coast was much to see.

SEA SIGHT
Why the hurry is the enemy of enjoyment, the trip is done quietly, by the scenic road. When the coast, surrendered to the landscape, we reach the town of Oudtshoorn, ostrich capital of the world and the ideal place to taste the meat of this bird, created locally. We are in the famous Garden Route, an area dotted with small communities of farmers and artists crossing pieces of breathtaking coastline, such as Plettenberg Bay, and penetrates into ancient forests, impressive, as the Tsitsikamma National Park. The rush, in fact, is not called for here.

The corollary is the arrival in Port Elizabeth. The fifth largest city in South Africa is an undiscovered gem in whose beaches feel like staying for swimming, water sports or just soak up the sun. And for fans of diving there are many options, including the opportunity to explore two old shipwrecks off the city (or we were not we on the verge of historic Route Cape).

BIG FIVE ...
Go to South Africa without visiting the Kruger Park is an unforgivable flaw. One of the main destinations for safari in the world, this protected area of two million hectares (the largest in the country) is a spectacular spot of biodiversity, a paradise not only for the observation of large wild animals but also of birds and plant species such as baobab trees, that make it to six thousand years! Even the owls will give property used by the sacrifice of waking up before dawn to get a closer look at the big five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos) inserted in their natural habitat.

And since we're one of the oldest areas of human occupation in the world, you can also get closer to their roots by visiting the remains of these early hominids - or if you are interested in more recent history, crossing the smuggling routes and banditry in Limpopo River valley, in the place where they cross the borders of three countries: South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Whatever your purpose or your personal taste, whether your emotions or retemperadoras landscapes, traveling in South Africa is easy. Just let yourself be overcome by surrounding it - and what are the directions to guide the way.

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