A Wolfs‘ journey around the world … South-Africa (Part 1)

wolfje (66)in #travel • 7 years ago

Category: All-round, the country is large and diverse
Recommended length of stay: minimum 4 nights on a city break, minimum 2 weeks if you're doing the Garden Route
Currency: Rand
Timezone: GMT+1, the same as Central Europe, no time difference
Perfect for: Long weekend, Safari, Romance, Sun, Beach, Family, History, etc
Target group: Couples, over 50's, families, friends, backpackers, jetsetters, adventurers, hikers and nature lovers, this is a large country and it offers a huuuuuge variety of things to do, there is something for everyone

I am sure there are a lot of people who, before they've ever set foot in South-Africa. are afraid of all the stereotypes and stories. So in my first post about South-Africa I want to get rid of these prejudices.

Snakes: Snakes are more rare, than what is commonly made to believe. We saw a few boomslangen on safari when they were being pointed out by rangers, we would not have seen them ourselves. They are more afraid of people, than we are of them.
Criminality: Criminality is an issue, stay in well populated areas and if you have to go out in the evenings, go to places where there are lots of people. Ensure you take valuables with you and don't leave anything lying in your car. Park your car in guarded parking areas and remember the biggest criminals ... are the baboons!
Rasism: people are very open and friendly and most of them have left the Apartheid period behind them. However there is still a huge divide between whites and people from other ethnicities. Go on a township tour, the people are fantastic and very welcoming. Everyone is very warm. Definitely one of the friendliest countries I have ever visited.

There are many more topics and questions that might pop-up, but I want to make this an interactive blog. So on one hand, feel free to ask me anything and on the other hand I will try and write as many blogs as needed and cover a wide variety of topics.

My wife and I went there on our honeymoon and we spent a total of 3,5 weeks there. Beforehand I was very doubtful about not booking any accommodations prior to departure. In hindsight I had nothing to worry about. We had a warm bed and a roof over our heads ever single night.

Over the next blogs I will go more into detail about out trip and provide you with honest anecdotes and experiences. This is a summary of our trip:

Length: 3,5 weeks
Hotels/B&B's: 13
Flights: Including entering and leaving the country 5
Kilometers by car: 2.623 over 14 days
Day with most KM: 357 KM: Swellendam - Barrydale - Montagu - Worcester - Tulbagh - Gouda - Paarl - Franschhoek
Day with least KM: 49 KM: the Crags - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna
Animals: Everywhere
Most memorable encounter: several; Meerkats in the wild, stroking Cheetahs and observing Lions & Leopards on Safari