No country like South Africa: Jonty Rhodes

There’s no other country in the world like my home country, South Africa that combines the varied natural beauty, amazing experiences and cultural diversity so beautifully.

Visualise a South African holiday and the images that come to mind are the magnificent wildlife and scenic landscapes. Yet this fascinating country also offers exhilarating adventure activities, marvellous history and not to forget the vibrant cities that truly complete your visit to this mesmerising country. My top picks include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and George.

Johannesburg
Regarded as the economic hub of South Africa, Johannesburg is big, buzzing and boldly metropolitan; a heady mix of business and pleasure. The pulsing city with a heart of pure gold, Johannesburg is known as Egoli (place of gold), Jo’burg, and Jozi. There’s never a dull second in Johannesburg. I love this city because whether you are on business, in search of a cultural encounter, an adrenaline rush or simply looking out to relax and unwind for a few days, this vibrant city has everything you’re looking for and more! Travellers looking for a cultural experience can visit the more than 40 art galleries as well as a host of cultural institutes and studios in the city.

Joburg’s ‘upbeat’ nightlife hotspots that range from pubs to clubs, shebeens to Montecasino and its diverse restaurants and eateries, completely enthrall me and I would definitely recommend adding this experience to your itinerary. Of course, Johannesburg is also a shopper’s paradise; there are numerous malls and the Sandton area is particularly popular with shopaholics where one can pick locally crafted items or find international brands at great prices. Some of the top attractions in and around Jo’burg include the Sun City, Cradle of Humankind, Lion Park, Sterkfontein Caves, Gold Reef City, South Africa’s most famous sprawling township, Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Square and Rosebank Craft Market.

George
Try George for sun, sea and sand, forests, game parks, lakes, magnificent scenery, wild flowers and Xhosa culture. George is at the centre of Nature´s `Garden Route´ and nestles at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. It’s a great place for a family vacation. My personal favourite is the Outeniqua Transport Museum. Kids will love the ride on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, SA’s last scheduled mixed steam train service.

The museum has a tremendous selection of trains and vintage cars. If you are seeking a family-friendly beach, look no further than Buffels Bay. It is a great place for kids as it has is a vast expanse of golden beach. I have enjoyed and made the most of the all-year round good climate at George for some exciting adventure activities like fishing, hang-gliding, diving, water skiing, cycling, canoeing, climbing, sailing, windsurfing and surfing.

South Africa offers travellers a truly unique fusion of fun, exciting, adventurous and experiences to take home and treasure. The best thing about the ‘Rainbow Nation’ is you don’t have to explore it — the country unfolds on its own to let you experience a memorable holiday.

Cape Town
Cape Town needs no introduction to any traveller, certainly not Indian travellers! The number of Bollywood movies that have showcased my home city has made it extremely popular with Indians. Affectionately known as the Mother City, Cape Town is the epicentre of South Africa’s culture and theatre. It is also extraordinarily beautiful, being home to the new Wonder of the World, Table Mountain, as well as magnificent beaches and winelands. 

The city centre is brimming with old architecture in the form of city halls, cafés, museums and even monuments. It is a commercial hotspot and provides plenty in the way of adventure sports and activities for nature-lovers. From a cobbled, colourful suburb that was the Malay Quarter during the apartheid years to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, one of Cape Town’s biggest shopping destinations, Cape Town has been recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

V&A Waterfront is bustling with things to do — food, wine, shopping at elegant malls, antique shops, craft markets, flea markets and art galleries abound. Cape Town and its surroundings are home to innumerable experiences ranging from marine activities such as scuba-diving, boating, deep-sea fishing and shark-cage diving, to wine tasting at the beautiful Cape Winelands region which produce some of world’s finest wines.

There’s also the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for stunning flora and picnics. A drive along the Southern Peninsula will take you to Kalk Bay, after which you find Simon’s Town, home to the Boulders Penguin Colony. You can explore the Southern Peninsula all the way to its tip at Cape Point. I recommend a visit to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The prison is a remarkable tourist attraction, since you can walk the maximum security wing where anti-apartheid activists like Nelson Mandela were imprisoned.

Port Elizabeth
With its beautiful beachfront and big city amenities coupled with small-town charm, it’s no surprise that I fell in love with Port Elizabeth the very first time I visited the city. If you want to get to know the city on a personal level, take the 5km Donkin Heritage Trail that follows in the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers. It links no less than 47 national monuments and historical sites in central Port Elizabeth.

For animal lovers, I recommend Addo Elephant Park, home to over 550 elephant and the Kagga Kamma Game Reserve where you will get to see hand-reared cheetahs. For some adrenaline rush, try sand boarding at Maitland Sand Dunes. It’s a challenging trek up to the top, but the view is worth the effort. I love the way down. You can slide down on anything – trays, pieces of cardboard or the sand boards of course. Finally, don’t miss the iconic Cape Recife Lighthouse, which stands near the site where numerous sailors and rescuers lost their lives to a hurricane in 1902.

Durban
If you are planning a summer holiday, then Durban is the place. Famous for its “Golden Mile” — string of beaches filled with surfers and its varied exciting, outdoor attractions for tourists. Durban has the biggest Indian population outside India, so take advantage and feel absolutely at home! Durban offers great shopping at malls and markets, historical and cultural attractions and plenty for families to do. Topping the list is Africa’s largest aquarium and amusement park, uShaka Marine World.

You must buy a combo ticket and do the water part and aquarium; it is a world-class experience. A great way to see the city is the three-hour tour on the Durban Arts or Heritage bus. Durban is also a great place to learn a water sport such scuba diving, surfing or kite surfing.

If its tranquillity you are looking for, visit the Valley of 1,000 Hills. As a child, I used to love taking a ride on the Umgeni Stream Railway train, which is a 100-year-old choo-choo that takes you on a day trip through the bustling villages of 1000 Hills. Durban has an exciting nightlife so reserve an evening to explore the clubs on Florida Road after tucking into the city’s best pasta at Spiga d’Oro. For music aficionados, a rock concert at Willowvale Hotel in Umilo Road is an incomparable experience.