rld and why
the Garden Route tour is the most scenic journey you will ever make


Chapman Peak, Hout Bay Cape Town



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Table Of Content




1.
Cape Town A Look at Africas Most Beautiful
City









4

2.
Destination Facts: - South Africa



7

3.
Travel Basics: - South Africa




8

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Health Information

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Visas

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Peoples & Culture

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Communication

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Accommodation

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Money

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Climate

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International Travel

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Local Travel

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Travel Insurance

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What To Wear


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1. Cape Town A Look at Africas Most
Beautiful City

As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, the earths rotation round the
sun means that summer beckons in the south. I admonish you- take a few days
off and follow the sun! The best place to catch the sun in the coming holiday
season is without doubt Cape Town. Cape Towns claim to being the most
beautiful city in South Africa is undisputed. And seasoned travel writers readily
accept the merit of Cape Towns claim that is indeed one of the most beautiful
cities in the world.

The city is blessed with unrivalled gifts of nature. The mighty kilometer high flat
top Table Mountain dwarfs even the most ambitious skyscrapers in the business
district. The city is surrounded by glorious landscapes, stunning beaches and a
bounty of unique vegetation. Where else do you have a choice of the cool
Atlantic Ocean and the warmer Indian Ocean?

But Cape Town offers much more. It is reputed to be the most open-minded and
relaxed city in South Africa and is one of the safest cities in Africa for visitors.
Action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme in the city to shoot an action thriller
recently declared: "I love waking up in this city with the sea around me and the
fresh air. The people are young with fresh and warm personalities and are
friendly and it's a country full of hope."

The movie is being shot in the city and around the harbour and if you are in
town before the end of the year you just might get to see Van Damme at the
waterfront. This is the same country that has produced some of the most
inspiring people of our times. Desmond Tutu the Nobel Peace Prize winner past
leader of the Anglican flock in Cape Town, for example and of course Nelson
Mandela.

Take a boat trip to Robben Island, one of the hottest destinations for overseas
visitors. This is where Nelson Mandela nearly lost his sight quarrying lime during
his long imprisonment. Make sure to get to the summit of Table Mountain by
cable where you will enjoy some unforgettable views.

Northwards of the city center is the Victoria and Albert waterfront- a trendy
shopping and entertainment complex. It is packed with art galleries, art and craft
shops, restaurants, taverns, cinemas, theatres and an aquarium.It is easy to see
why many beautiful people converge here. It is when in Cape Town that you will Africa Point: Africapoint.com

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understand why Desmond Tutu named the country as the Rainbow Nation. The
peoples here have roots in the four corners of the planet and together give the
city its vivid colours.


Cape Town is well connected to one of the most popular travel destinations
in South Africa: the Garden Route. The Garden Route is the southern coastal
area starting west of Cape Town at Swellendam and ending at Humansdorp just
before Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route is probably the most scenic journey you
will ever make. You encounter soaring cliffs, wide beaches, semi desert, rocky
coves, rain forests, tranquil lakes and rugged mountains. The area is good for
watersports and the weather allows this year round. A visit to the wine producing
regions can also be staged from Cape Town. If you are short of time head for
picturesque Stellenbosch just a 45-minute drive away.

The Garden Route tour usually starts from Cape Town with a stop at Mossel
Bay. This otherwise uninspiring town is famous for its Post Office Tree, where
sailors left letters hanging in a boot to be picked up by those headed towards the
country where the letters were addressed. Then to Oudtshoorn and George, a
transport hub for the area.

Afterwards, Wilderness National Park a good place for birding and canoeing on
your way to the artist colony of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay,
the millionaires' playground" is South Africas trendiest resort. Then to
Tsitsikamma National Park known for its nature trails, giant trees and caves. A
little ahead of Humansdorp is Jeffrey's Bay, reputed to have one of the world's
best surfing beaches.

Watersports are big in South Africa. Whale watching and shark-cage diving (with
great white sharks) is possible in the Cape area. The best time to spot these sea
giants is from June to September. In the last week of September the annual
Whale Festival is held at Walker Bay. Diving facilities are good in the area and
wreck diving in particular is widespread around the Cape. For fishing enthusiasts,
the Cape of Good Hope has one the worlds richest fishing grounds.

At the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean currents is to be found large
shoals of tuna and swordfish. For those brave souls seeking hair-raising
adventure, there is an excellent opportunity for bungee jumping at the bridge
over Blaukrans River. This has one of the worlds highest drops.

There are also many beautiful golf courses in the Cape Town and Garden
Route area. The best time to play is the cooler months of May to September. The
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and Country Club at George right on the Garden Route. This event is a match
play competition with the world's best international players.

The best period to visit the Cape region is over the summer months November-
February. The rest of the year is usually cool, rainy and windy. Most people then
find it quite challenging to engage in swimming and water sports. There is a
wide rage of accommodation in Cape Town and the Garden Route area. Top
range 5 star hotels and other rated hotels are found throughout the region.

Other accommodation options include motels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts,
farm holidays, beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. The Cape region is
now a much sought after destination and advance booking is necessary during
the summer season (October-April). With prior planning it is possible to get good
value and affordable holiday stay.



















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2. Destination Facts: South Africa

Full Country Name
: Republic of South Africa

Area
: 1,233,404 sq km

Population
: 45 million (2001)

Capital City
: Pretoria (Administrative), Cape Town (Legislative), Bloemfontein
(Judicial)

Other Major Towns
: Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth

People
: 79% Black, 10% White, 9% Mixed Race, 3% Indian descent

Language
: 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa,
isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga

Religion
: Christian (80%), Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions

Government
: Republic

Time
: GMT + 2

Currency
: South African Rand (ZAR)

Electricity
; 220 V/240 V AC (250 V in Pretoria), 50 Hz

Weights and Measures
: Metric

Economy
: Mining (gold, diamonds), finance, food processing, manufacturing,
agriculture












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3. Travel Basics: South Africa

Health
Visitors entering South Africa from