Going to South Africa for 2010

With the World Cup looming ahead many foreign tourists are considering getting on a plane to South Africa to join in with the football spirit. This post isn't about football however, but it is about what you need to know about South Africa before going there. This is very important for anyone who has never traveled to Africa before. I'm going to recommend some places to go and some things to see but I'm also going to provide knowledge about where you're going so you're not completely confused when you get there.

Where to go: City

Though many football fans will be deciding which city to go to by which games they want to see, I would like to talk about some of the cities in a more aesthetic light.

Johannesburg is the capitol of South Africa, a sprawling city connected by a series of large highways. The government recently undertook a project to create a different form of transportation in the city. The "Gauteng Train" spans from the main airport (O.R. Tambo), Johannesburg and Pretoria. The government undertook this project in an effort to change the traffic conjestion that Johannesburg is so used to. As an experienced traveller in South Africa I would urge others to decide on other methods of transportation than this. The city itself is a cosmopolitan hotspot with great restaurants and interesting things to see and do. I would recommend a great Mozambican restaurant that can be found in a shopping center after the Dainfern off-ramp. There are malls galore in Johannesburg for the avid shopper: Sandton City, Fourways, Cedar Square, Rosebank and more.

Capetown is a beautiful city. Though if you're looking for a dip in the ocean you should be warned that the temperature may not be to your liking. The waters of Cape Town are known to be unwaveringly cold but the beach is still clean and the view of the ocean is spectacular. In Cape Town there are lovely shopping areas and dining ares that can be found at the V&A Mall on the waterfront. Here you can dine on fresh fish while overlooking the water. Cape Town is always alive with some kind of art exhibition or the like so if you have any appreciation for art or theatre then this is a great place for you to visit. Cape Town is also known for it's great wine country and Table Mountain. The wine estates of the countryside are beautiful and cater to guests perfectly. It doesn't hurt that the wine, my favourite is their selection of white wines, are fantastic.

Durban is a laid back beach town. The new 2010 stadium is quite a splendor to behold and causes all of their older stadiums to pale in comparison. If you're looking for a relaxed vacation this is probably your best bet. Though, like all the other cities, the nightlife never a disappointment. Some of the better known clubs there are Clap'em (notorious for their drink specials), and Joe Cool's which overlooks the beach.

Transportation

For anyone going to South Africa I would recommend you a rent a car. Do your rental reservations in advance as there will definitely be a demand for car rentals. There are problems in South Africa with crime and the like so a car is probably your best, easiest and safest option. The roads are easy to navigate, and with GPS you can't go wrong. You'll also discover that the cities are far too spread out to walk through and public transport is not particularly safe. Make sure you keep the car doors locked as you drive through the cities and don't leave valuables in your car or in view. Don't be scared please! It's a perfectly safe place as long as you take the precautions not to put yourself in unnecessary dangers.

Lodging in South Africa

There are many renowned hotels in South Africa which have excellent service and many tourist activities to offer such as game drives, etc. A fantastic lodge in Durban is the Zimbali Lodge if you don't mind being a bit out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Zimbali is around 40 minutes from Durban but with a car there is no trouble and the lodge is a beautiful place to be. It has it's own private beach and golf course for those looking for leisurely activities. Though this is a more pricey choice than many other hotels. However, foreign tourists have the utmost advantage in South Africa as the exchange rate is highly in their favor. Many great hotel deals can be found on the Internet. When looking for lodging in Johannesburg make sure your location is central and close to any areas you may want to frequent as traffic at certain times of the day can be quite tedious.

Currency

The currency is South Africa is the South African Rand. The currency is much weaker in comparison to foreign currencies such as the US dollar, the British Pound and the Euro. Foreigners will find a great advantage in the exchange, as I mentioned before, which is why it is probably the best vacation for value. Compared to vacationing in Europe the value is incredible and money goes a long way.

Things to do in South Africa

From my experience I can recommend some must-sees when in South Africa.

1) Table Mountain: The view from the top is incredible. There is a cable cart that runs from the bottom of the mountain to the top. Try and plan to go on a day when it is sunny as clouds often cover the top of the mountain on certain days when the weather is less favorable.

2) Wine Estates of Cape Town: Here you will have an experience like no other. For those wine-lovers this is an opportunity not to waste. You can either take your own car or there are many tours offered that pick groups up from hotels and take them through the wine country of Cape Town. Every estate is different and so is the wine, one of the most interesting parts of the experience.

3) A game drive: For those tourists who have never seen a lion in it's real glory or a zebra in it's natural habitat - you have to do this. Going to the zoo cannot compare to seeing these animals out in the wild from an open-air vehicle.

4) Ushaka: Durban's water park, aquarium and shopping area. With contemporary african architecture and an array of shops devoted only to native arts and crafts any tourist will find this an interesting visit. There is an excellent restaurant with a window onto the shark tank inside of the park.

So for all of you considering taking this trip, I don't think you'll be dissapointed. South Africa is very different from any other vacation experience. Enjoy.