Tourism

193
193

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 193 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

Tourism is a national priority and contributes significantly to

economic development. The national tourism sector strat-
egy provides a blueprint for the sector to meet the growth
targets contained in the new growth path.
The inflow of tourists to South Africa is the result of the
success of policies aimed at entrenching South Africa’s
status as a major international tourism and business events
destination.
The Tourism Business Index’s quarterly index produced by
the Tourism Business Council of South Africa indicated that
revenue per available room in the hotel sector increased by
7,9% during the first 10 months of 2014. A Statistics South
Africa (StatsSA) report has found that the total income for
the South Africa tourist accommodation industry, which
includes restaurant and bar sales, grew by 7%.
In May 2015, there were 1 202 795 foreign arrivals to
South Africa. The arrivals were made up of 89 257 non-
visitors and 1 113 538 visitors. The visitors consisted of 428
131 same-day visitors and 685 407 overnight visitors. The
breakdown of the tourists by region was as follows: 138 258
from overseas; 533 361 from the Southern African Devel-
opment Community countries; 12 594 from other African
countries and the country of residence of 1 194 tourists was
classified as unspecified.

Role players
South African Tourism (SAT)
Business tourism has also increased, especially since the
establishment of the country’s first South African National
Convention Bureau as a business unit under SAT.
Given the strong growth potential in Africa, SAT was
allocated R300 million to expand its marketing presence on
the continent, which will include the opening of another four
offices in the next few years.
SAT’s Sho’t Left marketing campaign for domestic tourists
is already delivering results and will be bolstered by another
R100 million in secured ring-fenced investment in 2015/16.
The “It’s Here, Vaya Mzansi” campaign is an industry-wide
project that relies on collaboration and partnership from the
wider industry for success and to grow domestic leisure
travel to meet targets. SAT partnered with more than 50
tourism companies in South Africa to create discount vouch-
ers ranging from tour-operator services, accommodation
and experiences including wine tastings, canopy tours and
hiking.
194

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (30 Nov 2015).indd 194 2015/11/30 2:49 PM
 ,Q6$7LQWURGXFHGDJOREDOKXEVWUDWHJ\FUHDWHGWR
effectively deliver the destination marketing message with a
wider reach than ever before.

6QWTKUO'PVGTRTKUG2CTVPGTUJKR 6'2
7(3 LV D QRQSURÀW FRPSDQ\ WKDW IDFLOLWDWHV WKH JURZWK
development and sustainability of small tourism businesses.
This is achieved through a number of products and services
WKDWSURYLGHKDQGVRQVWHSE\VWHSVXSSRUWDQGJXLGDQFH
XOWLPDWHO\ OHDGLQJ WR LPSURYHG SURGXFW TXDOLW\ RSHUDWLRQDO
HIÀFLHQF\DQGPDUNHWUHDFK
)XQGLQJ IRU 7(3·V VPDOO WRXULVP EXVLQHVV GHYHORSPHQW
interventions is provided by the NDT as well as the Business
7UXVWWKH7RXULVP0LFURHQWHUSULVHV6XSSRUW)XQG DVLVWHU
FRPSDQ\WKDWSURYLGHVIXQGLQJVSHFLÀFDOO\IRUWKHVXSSRUWRI
PLFURHQWHUSULVHV JOREDOÀQDQFLDOVHUYLFHVFRPSDQ\&UHGLW
6XLVVHDQGWKH(DVWHUQ&DSH'HYHORSPHQW&RUSRUDWLRQ

Tourism Indaba
7KH7RXULVP ,QGDED KHOG IURP  WR  0D\ SURYLGHG DQ
RSSRUWXQLW\WRVKRZFDVH6RXWK$IULFDDQGLWVSHRSOH
The Tourism Indaba that takes place in Durban annually
LVRQHRIWKHODUJHVWWRXULVPPDUNHWLQJHYHQWVLQ$IULFDDQG
one of the top three events of its kind in the world. For two
\HDUVLQDURZ,QGDEDKDVZRQWKHDZDUGIRU$IULFD·VEHVW
travel and tourism show. This award was presented by the
$VVRFLDWLRQRI:RUOG7UDYHO$ZDUGV
,WVKRZFDVHVDZLGHYDULHW\RIVRXWKHUQ$IULFD·VEHVWWRXU
ism products and attracts international visitors and media
from across the world.
7R EROVWHU JURZWK JRYHUQPHQW KDV LGHQWLÀHG FRUH PDU
NHWV LQYHVWPHQW PDUNHWV DQG WDFWLFDO PDUNHWV DFURVV
UHJLRQDO$IULFDWKH$PHULFDV$VLDDQG$XVWUDODVLDDVZHOO
DVLQ(XURSH

Meetings Africa
$WWHQGDQFHÀJXUHVDW0HHWLQJV$IULFDZHUHXSE\
FRPSDUHGWRZLWKDWRWDORIGHOHJDWHVDWWHQGLQJ
$IULFD·VSUHPLHUEXVLQHVVHYHQWVWUDGHVKRZ

Tourism Grading Council of South Africa

6)%5#
7KH7*&6$·VJUDGLQJV\VWHPLV6RXWK$IULFD·VRQO\RIÀFLDOO\
UHFRJQLVHG V\VWHP IRU WKH VWDUJUDGLQJ RI DFFRPPRGDWLRQ
establishments.
195
195

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 195 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

Tourism in the provinces

Western Cape
7KH:HVWHUQ&DSHLV6RXWK$IULFD·VPRVWGHYHORSHGWRXULVP
region.
The tourism industry in the province has grown faster and
created more jobs than any other industry.
2QHLQHPSOR\HHVLQWKH:HVWHUQ&DSHHDUQVDOLYLQJ
LQWKHWRXULVPLQGXVWU\DQGLWFRQWULEXWHVPRUHWKDQ5ELO
lion to the provincial economy.

Key attractions
‡ 7DEOH 0RXQWDLQ ZKLFK IRUPV SDUW RI WKH7DEOH 0RXQWDLQ
1DWLRQDO3DUNLVRQHRIWKHRIÀFLDO1HZ6HYHQ:RQGHUV
RI 1DWXUH IROORZLQJ D OHQJWK\ LQWHUQDWLRQDO SXEOLF YRWLQJ
SURFHVV$ PRGHUQ FDEOHZD\ WDNHV YLVLWRUV WR WKH WRS RI
WKHPRXQWDLQSURYLGLQJVSHFWDFXODUYLHZV
‡ 7KH9LFWRULDDQG$OIUHG 9 $ :DWHUIURQWWKH&RPSDQ\·V
*DUGHQV WKH 'LVWULFW 6L[ 0XVHXP WKH KRXVHV RI
3DUOLDPHQWDQGWKH6RXWK$IULFDQ1DWLRQDO*DOOHU\
‡ The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is
LQ WKH &ORFN 7RZHU 3UHFLQFW DW WKH 9 $ :DWHUIURQW ,W
KRXVHVLQWHUDFWLYHPXOWLPHGLDH[KLELWLRQVDQDXGLWRULXP
ERDUGURRPVWKH5REEHQ,VODQG0XVHXPDQGDUHVWDXUDQW
‡ 7KH *ROG RI$IULFD 0XVHXP HVWDEOLVKHG E\$QJOR *ROG
KRXVHV D FHOHEUDWHG FROOHFWLRQ RI PRUH WKDQ  JROG
artefacts.
‡ 7KH 6RXWK$IULFDQ 5XJE\ 0XVHXP LQ 1HZODQGV UHÁHFWV
WKHKLVWRU\RIWKHVSRUWDVIDUEDFNDV
‡ $OO6RXWK$IULFDQZLQHURXWHVIDOOXQGHUWKHDXVSLFHVRIWKH
:LQHRI2ULJLQ6FKHPH3URGXFWLRQLVGLYLGHGLQWRRIÀFLDO
UHJLRQV GLVWULFWV DQG ZDUGV 7KHUH DUH ÀYH SULQFLSOH
GHPDUFDWLRQV²&RDVWDO%UHHGH5LYHU9DOOH\/LWWOH.DURR
2OLIDQWV 5LYHU DQG %REHUJ FRYHULQJ  GLVWULFWV DQG 
wards.
‡ Jazz is big in Cape Town. From traditional blues through
SURJUHVVLYH MD]] WR $IULFDQLQÁXHQFHG MD]] HYHU\ WDVWH
LV FDWHUHG IRU DW D QXPEHU RI UHVWDXUDQWV MD]] FDIpV
FLJDU EDUV SXEV DQG ZLQH IDUPV 7KH WRS MD]] HYHQW LQ
the Western Cape is the annual Cape Town International
Jazz Festival.

Garden Route
7KH*DUGHQ5RXWHIHDWXUHVWKHSRQWDW0DOJDVZKLFKLVRQH
RIWKHWZRUHPDLQLQJSRQWVLQWKHFRXQWU\IHUU\LQJYHKLFOHV

196

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 196 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 and livestock across the Breede River. This popular route
VSDQV URXJKO\  NP RI 6RXWK $IULFD·V VRXWKHUQ FRDVW
LQFRUSRUDWLQJDSLFWXUHVTXHVWUHWFKRIFRDVWOLQH

Key attractions
‡ $WWHTXDV .ORRI 3DVV 6RXWK $IULFDQ$QJOR%RHU :DU
EORFNKRXVHVDQGWKH%DUWRORPHX'LDVFRPSOH[
‡ Great Brak River offers a historic village with many
RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU ZKDOH DQG GROSKLQZDWFKLQJ DORQJ WKH
H[WHQVLYHFRDVW
‡ 7KH 6ODYH 7UHH LQ *HRUJH ORFDWHG MXVW RXWVLGH WKH 2OG
/LEUDU\ZDVSODQWHGLQ,WLVNQRZQWREHWKHELJJHVW
(QJOLVKRDNLQWKH6RXWKHUQ+HPLVSKHUH
‡ 1HDUE\ EXQJHHMXPSLQJ DW WKH *RXULW] 5LYHU *RUJH
KLNLQJPRXQWDLQELNLQJDQGDQJOLQJDUHSRSXODUSDVWLPHV
‡ The Point in Mossel Bay is popular among surfers and its
natural pool formed by rock is also a favourite swimming
spot at low tide.
‡ *HQDGHQGDOLVWKHROGHVW0RUDYLDQYLOODJHLQ$IULFDZLWK
FKXUFK EXLOGLQJV DQG D VFKRRO GDWLQJ EDFN WR 7KH
*HQDGHQGDO 0LVVLRQ DQG 0XVHXP FRPSOH[ GRFXPHQWV
WKHÀUVWPLVVLRQVWDWLRQLQ6RXWK$IULFD
‡ 9LOOLHUVGRUS KRXVHV WKH 'DJEUHHN 0XVHXP WKDW GDWHV
EDFN WR  7KH KLVWRULFDO KRPH 2XGH 5DG\Q LV
possibly the only building in the Western Cape to have
Batavian wooden gutters and down pipes.

Little Karoo
7KH/LWWOH.DURR·VIDVFLQDWLQJODQGVFDSHLVIDVKLRQHGDOPRVW
entirely by water. Its vegetation ranges from lush greenery
LQ WKH IHUWLOH ULYHU YDOOH\V WR VKRUW UXJJHG .DURR SODQWV LQ
the veld. Gorges feature rivers that cut through towering
PRXQWDLQV ZKLOH EUHDWKWDNLQJO\ VWHHS SDVVHV FURVV
LPSRVLQJ WHUUDLQ 7KH UHJLRQ LV DOVR KRPH WR WKH ZRUOG·V
ODUJHVWELUG²WKHRVWULFK

Key attractions
‡ ([FHOOHQW ZLQHV DQG SRUW DUH SURGXFHG LQ WKH &DOLW]GRUS
and De Rust areas.
‡ The Swartberg Nature Reserve and Pass with their gravel
roads are also worth a visit.
‡ 7KH /LWWOH .DURR 1DVLRQDOH .XQVWHIHHV 1DWLRQDO $UWV
Festival) is held in Oudtshoorn annually.
‡ 7KH&DQJR&DYHVDVHULHVRIVXEWHUUDQHDQOLPHVWRQH

197
197

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 197 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

FDYHVEHDUHYLGHQFHRIHDUO\6DQKDELWDWLRQDQGIHDWXUHV
PDJQLÀFHQWGULSVWRQHIRUPDWLRQV
‡ $PDOLHQVWHLQDQG=RDUDUHKLVWRULFPLVVLRQVWDWLRQVPLG
ZD\EHWZHHQ/DGLVPLWKDQG&DOLW]GRUS9LVLWRUVFDQJRRQ
GRQNH\FDUW DQG KLNLQJ WUDLOV WKURXJK RUFKDUGV DQG YLQH
\DUGV7KH6HZHZHHNVSRRUWLVLGHDOIRUPRXQWDLQELNLQJ
KLNLQJDQGSURWHDDQGI\QERVDGPLUHUV

Northern Cape
7KH%LJ+ROHLQ.LPEHUOH\LVWKHODUJHVWKDQGGXJH[FDYD
WLRQLQWKHZRUOG,QGLDPRQGVZHUHGLVFRYHUHGDWWKH
site and mined manually by prospectors.

Key attractions
‡ 7KHKRXVHZKHUH6RO3ODDWMH $IULFDQ1DWLRQDO&RQJUHVV
IRXQGLQJPHPEHUDQGKXPDQULJKWVDFWLYLVW OLYHGLQ.LP
EHUOH\ KDV D OLEUDU\ RI 3ODDWMH·V DQG RWKHU EODFN 6RXWK
$IULFDQ ZULWHUV· ZRUNV DQG VHYHUDO GLVSOD\V LQFOXGLQJ D
SRUWUD\DORIEODFNLQYROYHPHQWLQWKH6RXWK$IULFDQ$QJOR
Boer War.
‡ .QRZQDVWKH´2DVLVRIWKH.DODKDULµ.XUXPDQLVEOHVVHG
ZLWKDSHUPDQHQWDQGDEXQGDQWVRXUFHRIZDWHUWKDWÁRZV
IURP *DVHJRQ\DQD 6HWVZDQD IRU ´WKH OLWWOH ZDWHU FDOD
EDVKµ ²FRPPRQO\FDOOHGWKH´(\HRI.XUXPDQµ²ZKLFK
\LHOGVPLOOLRQOLWUHVRIZDWHUDGD\
‡ 7KH :RQGHUZHUN &DYH DW .XUXPDQ IHDWXUHV H[WHQVLYH
San paintings that may be viewed by appointment.
‡ 7KH.DODKDUL5DSWRU&HQWUHFDUHVIRULQMXUHGELUGV0DQ\
RIWKHVHPDMHVWLFFUHDWXUHVFDQEHVHHQDWFORVHTXDUWHUV
‡ 8SLQJWRQLVWKHFRPPHUFLDOHGXFDWLRQDODQGVRFLDOFHQWUH
RIWKH*UHHQ.DODKDULRZLQJLWVSURVSHULW\WRDJULFXOWXUH
DQG LWV LUULJDWHG ODQGV DORQJ WKH 2UDQJH 5LYHU$ FDPHO
DQGULGHUVWDWXHLQIURQWRIWKHWRZQ·VSROLFHVWDWLRQSD\V
WULEXWH WR WKH ´PRXQWLHVµ ZKR SDWUROOHG WKH KDUVK GHVHUW
territory on camels.
‡ ,Q6HSWHPEHUWKH.DODKDUL'HVHUW6SHHG:HHNZDV
KHOGDW+DNVNHHQ3DQNPQRUWKRI8SLQJWRQ
‡ 1DPDTXDODQG LV IDPRXV IRU D VSHFWDFXODU DQQXDO VKRZ
LQVSULQJZKHQDQDEXQGDQFHRIZLOGÁRZHUVFRYHUVYDVW
tracts of desert.
‡ 1DPDTXDODQG LV DOVR KRPH WR WKH $LV$LV5LFKWHUVYHOG
National Park. It is managed jointly by the local Nama
SHRSOHDQG6RXWK$IULFDQ1DWLRQDO3DUNV
‡ 'H $DU LV WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW UDLOZD\ MXQFWLRQ LQ 6RXWK

198

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 198 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 $IULFD 7KH DXWKRU 2OLYH 6FKUHLQHU OLYHG LQ WKH WRZQ IRU
PDQ\\HDUV9LVLWRUVFDQGLQHLQKHUIRUPHUKRXVHZKLFK
has been converted into a restaurant.
‡ Hanover is known for its handmade shoes and articles
made mostly from sheepskin and leather.

Free State
7KLVFHQWUDOUHJLRQRI6RXWK$IULFDLVFKDUDFWHULVHGE\HQG
OHVVUROOLQJÀHOGVRIZKHDWVXQÁRZHUVDQGPDL]HDQGIRUPV
WKHSULQFLSDOEUHDGEDVNHWRI6RXWK$IULFD

Key attractions
‡ :LWK LWV .LQJ·V 3DUN 5RVH *DUGHQ FRQWDLQLQJ PRUH WKDQ
URVHEXVKHVWKH)UHH6WDWH·VPDMRUFLW\%ORHPIRQ
WHLQ KDV ULJKWIXOO\ HDUQHG WKH QLFNQDPH ´&LW\ RI 5RVHVµ
The city also hosts an annual rose festival.
‡ %ORHPIRQWHLQ KDV D EXV\ FXOWXUDO DQG VRFLDOHYHQWV
calendar. One of the annual events not to be missed is
WKH0DQJDXQJ$IULFDQ&XOWXUDO)HVWLYDOSRSXODUO\NQRZQ
DVWKH0DFXIH$UWV)HVWLYDOLQ6HSWHPEHUHYHU\\HDU
‡ 7KH 1DWLRQDO :RPHQ·V 0HPRULDO FRPPHPRUDWHV WKH
women and children who died in concentration camps
GXULQJWKH$QJOR%RHU6RXWK$IULFDQ:DU
‡ 7KH*DULHS'DPPRUHWKDQNPORQJDQGNPZLGH
LV SDUW RI WKH 2UDQJH 5LYHU :DWHU 6FKHPH WKH ODUJHVW
LQODQGH[SDQVHRIZDWHULQ6RXWK$IULFD
‡ Between the dam and Bethulie is the Gariep Dam Nature
Reserve.
‡ Clocolan is known for the beauty of its cherry trees when
they are in full bloom in spring. San rock paintings and
engravings are also found in the area.
‡ 7KH/ODQGDII2UDWRU\LQWKHQHDUE\YLOODJHRI9DQ5HHQHQ
is believed to be the smallest Roman Catholic church in
the world.
‡ $W +DUULVPLWK WKHUH DUH YDULRXV PHPRULDOV LQ KRQRXU RI
WKRVH ZKR IRXJKW LQ WKH $QJOR%RHU6RXWK $IULFDQ :DU
and World War I. Of particular interest is a memorial for
the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards.
‡ The Golden Gate Highlands National Park outside Clarens
has beautiful sandstone rock formations.
‡ 7KH9UHGHIRUW'RPHD:RUOG+HULWDJH6LWHLVWKHROGHVW
and largest meteorite impact site in the world. It was
formed about two billion years ago when a giant meteorite
KLW(DUWK

199
199

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 199 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

Eastern Cape
7KH PDLQ IHDWXUH RI WKH (DVWHUQ &DSH LV LWV PDJQLÀFHQW
FRDVWOLQH $GGHG WR WKH GLYHUVH FRDVWDO H[SHULHQFHV DUH
PRUH WKDQ  VWDWHRZQHG JDPH UHVHUYHV DQG RYHU 
SULYDWHJDPHIDUPVZKLFKFROOHFWLYHO\FRYHUDQDUHDJUHDWHU
WKDQWKH.UXJHU1DWLRQDO3DUN

Key attractions
‡ :LWKLQWKH3RUW(OL]DEHWKWKHUHDUHVRPHEHDXWLIXOSDUNV
ZLWK ZHOOODQGVFDSHG JDUGHQV LQFOXGLQJ 6W *HRUJH·V
3DUN ZKLFK FRYHUV  KD DQG KRXVHV WKH IDPRXV 3RUW
(OL]DEHWK&ULFNHW&OXEWKHROGHVWERZOLQJJUHHQLQ6RXWK
$IULFD3ULQFH$OIUHG·V*XDUG0HPRULDOWKH9LFWRULDQ
3HDUVRQ&RQVHUYDWRU\DQGWKHKD6HWWOHUV·3DUN
‡ 7RWKHQRUWKZHVWRI*UDDII5HLQHWOLHVWKH9DOOH\RI'HVR
ODWLRQ7KHYDOOH\LVDQDWLRQDOPRQXPHQWZLWKLQWKH.DURR
1DWXUH5HVHUYHIRUPHGPLOOLRQVRI\HDUVDJRE\ZHDWKHU
ing erosion.
‡ 9DULHG JDPH UHVHUYHV LQFOXGLQJ WKH $GGR (OHSKDQW
Mountain Zebra and Mkambati parks.
‡ 6RXWK$IULFD·VÀUVWPDULQHSDUNWKH7VLWVLNDPPD1DWLRQDO
3DUNH[WHQGVDORQJDURFN\FRDVWOLQHRINPDQGNP
out to sea.
‡ Southern right and humpback whales and their calves are
UHJXODUO\ VSRWWHG IURP WKH KLJK GXQHV XVXDOO\ EHWZHHQ
0D\ DQG 1RYHPEHU ZKLOH FRPPRQ DQG ERWWOHQRVH
dolphins are often seen close to shore.

Limpopo
The Limpopo landscape is made up of dramatic contrasts
FKDUDFWHULVHG E\ KRW VDYDQQD SODLQV DQG PLVWFODG PRXQ
WDLQV DJHROG LQGLJHQRXV IRUHVWV DQG F\FDGV DORQJVLGH
PRGHUQ SODQWDWLRQV DQG DQFLHQW PRXQWDLQ IRUWUHVVHV DQG
WKH OX[XU\ RI FRQWHPSRUDU\ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH DQG PRGHUQGD\
facilities.

Key attractions
‡ The Marakele National Park is home to some rare yellow
ZRRG DQG FHGDU WUHHV DQG WKH ZRUOG·V ODUJHVW FRORQ\ RI
Cape vultures. It is also a leader in the conservation of the
EODFN UKLQR RXWVLGH RI WKH .UXJHU 1DWLRQDO 3DUN DQG WKH
.ZD=XOX1DWDOSDUNV
‡ 3RORNZDQH LV FRQVLGHUHG WKH SUHPLHU JDPHKXQWLQJ
GHVWLQDWLRQLQ6RXWK$IULFD

200

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 200 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 ‡ 7KH 0DSXQJXEZH $UFKDHRORJLFDO 6LWH  NP ZHVW RI
0XVLQD OLHV ZLWKLQ WKH ERXQGDULHV RI WKH 0DSXQJXEZH
1DWLRQDO3DUN,WLVRQHRIWKHULFKHVWRILWVNLQGLQ$IULFD
DQG D ZRUOG KHULWDJH VLWH ([FDYDWLRQV LQ WKH V
XQFRYHUHG D UR\DO JUDYH\DUG ZKLFK LQFOXGHG D QXPEHU
RIJROGHQDUWHIDFWVLQFOXGLQJWKHIDPRXVJROGIRLOUKLQRF
eros.
‡ 7KH .UXJHU 1DWLRQDO 3DUN QRUWKHUQ VHFWLRQ  LV RQH RI
6RXWK$IULFD·VPDMRUWRXULVWDWWUDFWLRQV7KHSDUNLVKRPH
WRDODUJHQXPEHUDQGZLGHYDULHW\RIDPSKLELDQVUHSWLOHV
DQGELUGVDVZHOODVPDPPDOVSHFLHVLQFOXGLQJWKH
Big Five.

North West
North West has several cultural villages that entertain and
attract visitors.
$ QXPEHU RI H[FHOOHQW JDPH UHVHUYHV KDYH EHHQ HVWDE
OLVKHGLQFOXGLQJWKH3LODQHVEHUJ1DWLRQDO3DUN

Key attractions
‡ 7KHKLVWRULFURXWHRI0DKLNHQJLQFOXGHVDQ6RXWK$IULFDQ
$QJOR%RHU:DUVLHJHVLWHWKH0ROHPD+RXVHZKHUH6RO
3ODDWMH OLYHG ZKLOH ZULWLQJ KLV 0DÀNHQJ 'LDU\ DQG WKH
Mahikeng Museum.
‡ The Groot Marico region is known as mampoer country
DQG YLVLWRUV FDQ H[SORUH WKH 0DPSRHU 5RXWH 7KH .RUW
NORRI&XOWXUDO9LOODJHLVGHGLFDWHGWRWKH7VZDQDSHRSOH
‡ 2WWRVGDOLVWKHRQO\SODFHLQ6RXWK$IULFDZKHUHWKHXQLTXH
´ZRQGHUVWRQHµRUS\URSK\OOLWHLVIRXQGDQGPLQHG
‡ The Ottosdal Night Race is organised in conjunction with
WKH'LDPRQG0DUDWKRQ&OXE7KHHYHQWFRQVLVWVRI
NPNPNPUDFHVDQGDNPIXQUXQ
‡ 6DQ URFN HQJUDYLQJV 6WRQH$JH LPSOHPHQWV DQG VWUXF
WXUHVDUHIRXQGRQIDUPVVXFKDV:LWSRRUW*HVWRSWHIRQ
WHLQ'ULHNXLODQG.RUDQQDIRQWHLQ

Mpumalanga
The climate and topography vary from cool highland grass
ODQGV DW   P DERYH VHD OHYHO WKURXJK WKH PLGGOHYHOG
DQG HVFDUSPHQW WR WKH VXEWURSLFDO /RZYHOG WRZDUGV WKH
.UXJHU1DWLRQDO3DUNDQGPDQ\SULYDWHJDPHUHVHUYHV
6FHQLFEHDXW\FOLPDWHDQGZLOGOLIHYRWHGWKHPRVWDWWUDF
WLYHIHDWXUHVRI6RXWK$IULFDDUHIRXQGLQDEXQGDQFHLQWKLV
province.

201
201

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 201 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

Key attractions
‡ %DUEHUWRQIHDWXUHVPDQ\UHPLQGHUVRIWKHHDUO\JROGUXVK
HUD 0XVHXPV LQFOXGH %HOKDYHQ )HUQOHD +RXVH DQG
Stopforth House. The only known verdite deposits in the
world are found in the rocks of the Barberton district. The
annual Diggers Festival is held in September every year.
‡ 7KH VSHFWDFXODU %O\GH 5LYHU &DQ\RQ LV D NPORQJ
JRUJHFDUYHGRXWRIWKHIDFHRIWKHHVFDUSPHQWDQGLVRQH
RIWKHQDWXUDOZRQGHUVRI$IULFD*RG·V:LQGRZSURYLGHV
D PDJQLÀFHQW SDQRUDPLF YLHZ DFURVV PLOHV RI GHQVHO\
IRUHVWHGPRXQWDLQVWKHJUHHQ/RZYHOGDQGWKHFDQ\RQ
‡ 6DELH LV WKH FHQWUH RI WKH ODUJHVW PDQPDGH IRUHVW LQ
6RXWK$IULFD DQG D SRSXODU GHVWLQDWLRQ DPRQJ PRXQWDLQ
bikers. The Cultural Historical Forestry Museum depicts
YDULRXVDVSHFWVRIWKHFRXQWU\·VIRUHVWU\LQGXVWU\
‡ 7KH %ULGDO 9HLO +RUVHVKRH DQG /RQH &UHHN ZDWHUIDOOV
and Mac Mac pools and falls just outside Sabie are well
worth a visit.
‡ 7KHNP3URVSHFWRU·V7UDLOVWDUWVDWWKH0DF0DF)RUHVW
6WDWLRQDQGOHDGVWRWKH%RXUNH·V/XFNSRWKROHV
‡ $W WKH 0RQWURVH )DOOV LQ 6FKRHPDQVNORRI WKH &URFR
dile River cascades 12 m into a series of rock pools.
It is also the starting point of the annual Lowveld Croco
GLOH&DQRH0DUDWKRQKHOGLQ)HEUXDU\HYHU\\HDU
‡ The region also holds rich historical sentiments centred on
the monument of the late Mozambican President Samora
0DFKHOFRQVWUXFWHGLQWKHYLOODJHRI0EX]LQL

Gauteng
*DXWHQJLVFKDUDFWHULVHGE\DFRVPRSROLWDQPL[RISHRSOH
from all walks of life.

Key attractions
‡ Natural areas include the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
+HLGHOEHUJ  %UDDPIRQWHLQ 6SUXLW 7UXVW 7KH :LOGV RQ
+RXJKWRQ DQG WKH .OLSULYLHUVEHUJ 1DWXUH 5HVHUYH LQ
-RKDQQHVEXUJ WKH .ORRIHQGDO 1DWXUH 5HVHUYH DQG :DO
ter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (in Roodepoort); and the
1DWLRQDO %RWDQLFDO *DUGHQ 6PXWV +RXVH 0XVHXP DQG
Freedom Park in Pretoria; as well as the Tswaing Crater
Trail.
‡ $ WHDP RI /LSSL]DQHU VWDOOLRQV SHUIRUPV HYHU\ 6XQGD\
DW WKH 6RXWK $IULFDQ 1DWLRQDO +RUVHPDQVKLS &HQWUH LQ
.\DODPL

202

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 202 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 ‡ 7KH 6WHUNIRQWHLQ FDYHV QHDU .UXJHUVGRUS DUH WKH VLWH
RI WKH GLVFRYHU\ RI WKH VNXOO RI WKH IDPRXV 0UV 3OHV DQ
HVWLPDWHG PLOOLRQ\HDUROG KRPLQLG IRVVLO DQG /LWWOH
)RRWDQDOPRVWFRPSOHWHKRPLQLGVNHOHWRQRIPRUHWKDQ
PLOOLRQ\HDUVROG
‡ The Constitution Hill Precinct is set to become one of
6RXWK$IULFD·VPRVWSRSXODUODQGPDUNV
‡ $ JXLGHG WRXU RI 6RZHWR OHDYHV D ODVWLQJ LPSUHVVLRQ RI
WKLVYDVWFRPPXQLW\·VOLIHDQGVWUXJJOHDJDLQVWDSDUWKHLG
‡ 7KH $SDUWKHLG 0XVHXP LQ -RKDQQHVEXUJ WHOOV WKH VWRU\
RIWKHOHJDF\RIDSDUWKHLGWKURXJKSKRWRJUDSKVÀOPDQG
artefacts.
‡ The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory opened its doors
to the public following the death of former President Nel
VRQ0DQGHODLQ'HFHPEHU
‡ 7KH 8QLRQ %XLOGLQJV FHOHEUDWHG LWV FHQWHQDU\ LQ 
'HVLJQHG E\ 6LU +HUEHUW %DNHU FRQVWUXFWLRQ VWDUWHG
LQ  DQG ZDV FRPSOHWHG LQ  ,W KDV VLQFH EHHQ
the setting for the presidential inauguration of former
3UHVLGHQW 1HOVRQ 0DQGHOD LQ  DV ZHOO DV WKRVH RI
IRUPHU 3UHVLGHQW 7KDER 0EHNL RQ  -XQH  DQG
 $SULO  DQG RI 3UHVLGHQW -DFRE =XPD RQ  0D\
 DQG  0D\  ,W LV DOVR WKH VHWWLQJ RI PDQ\
QDWLRQDO FHOHEUDWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ :RPHQ·V 'D\ DQG
Freedom Day.
‡ ,Q 'HFHPEHU  D EURQ]H VWDWXH RI IRUPHU 3UHVLGHQW
Mandela was unveiled at the Union Buildings.
‡ The National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria is considered
RQHRIWKHEHVWLQWKHZRUOG
‡ 7KH ROG PLQLQJ WRZQ RI &XOOLQDQ LV ZKHUH WKH ZRUOG·V
ELJJHVWGLDPRQGWKHFDUDW&XOOLQDQGLDPRQGZDV
found.

203
203

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 203 2015/11/22 10:27 PM
 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2014/15
SOUTH AFRICA’STOURISM
PEOPLE

KwaZulu-Natal
2QH RI WKH FRXQWU\·V PRVW SRSXODU WRXULVW GHVWLQDWLRQV WKH
SURYLQFHVWUHWFKHVIURP3RUW(GZDUGLQWKHVRXWKWRWKHERU
GHUVRI6ZD]LODQGDQG0R]DPELTXHWRWKHQRUWK

Key attractions
‡ 7KH'XUEDQDUHDKDVPRUHWKDQUHVHUYHVGHYHORSHG
SDUNVDQGVSHFLDOLVHGJDUGHQVWKHPRVWUHQRZQHGEHLQJ
the Municipal Botanical Garden. Besides the botanical
JDUGHQV0LWFKHOO 3DUN LV RQH RI WKH PRVW SRSXODU JUHHQ
VSDFHVZKLFKLQFOXGHVDQRXWGRRUUHVWDXUDQWD]RRDQG
a playground for children.
‡ $QQXDOHYHQWVLQDQGDURXQGWKHFLW\LQFOXGHWKHSRSXODU
Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritz
EXUJDQLQWHUQDWLRQDOVXUÀQJFRPSHWLWLRQWKH'X]LFDQRH
PDUDWKRQ WKH 0LGPDU 0LOH 'ROSKLQ 0LOH RSHQ ZDWHU
VZLPPLQJ HYHQWV WKH -XO\ +DQGLFDS KRUVHUDFH WKH
$PDVKRYDVKRYDF\FOHWRXUDQGWKH6SDU0HUFXU\/DGLHV
NP&KDOOHQJH
‡ 7KH:H]D6WDWH)RUHVWLQ(DVW*ULTXDODQGUXQVWKURXJK
indigenous forests and commercial plantations. The forest
is home to several antelope species and a huge variety
of birds.
‡ St Lucia and its surroundings comprises the iSimangaliso
:HWODQG 3DUN WKDW KDYH ÀYH VHSDUDWH HFRV\VWHPV ,W LV
D ÀVKLQJ DQG ELUG ZDWFKLQJ SDUDGLVH %RDW WULSV RQ WKH
lake offer opportunities for crocodile and hippo sightings.
7KH.RVL%D\1DWXUH5HVHUYHLVSDUWRIWKH&RDVWDO)RUHVW
5HVHUYHEHWZHHQ0R]DPELTXHDQG6RGZDQD%D\
‡ 7KH +OXKOXZH8PIROR]L 3DUN RQH RI WKH ODUJHVW JDPH
SDUNVLQ6RXWK$IULFDLVKRPHWRWKH%LJ)LYHDVZHOODV
cheetah and wild dogs.
‡ 7KH%DWWOHÀHOGV5RXWHLQQRUWKHUQ.ZD=XOX1DWDOKDVWKH
KLJKHVW FRQFHQWUDWLRQ RI EDWWOHÀHOGV DQG UHODWHG PLOLWDU\
VLWHVLQ6RXWK$IULFD
‡ The Midlands Meander is a scenic drive between Hilton
DQG 0RRL 5LYHU ZLWK VRPH  DUW VWXGLRV SRWWHUV DQG
SDLQWHUVWRKHUEJDUGHQVDQGFKHHVHPDNHUV
‡ 0LGPDU 'DP LV ]RQHG IRU \DFKWLQJ DQG SRZHUERDWLQJ
7KHKD0LGPDU*DPH3DUNKDVUKLQR]HEUDDZLGH
variety of antelope species and waterfowl.

204

Pocket Guide 2014-15 PAGES (22 Nov 2015).indd 204 2015/11/22 10:27 PM