South Africa

South Africa gets its bad reviews, and people who have never been there say it's dangerous. But, living with a South African who insists on taking me there every possible holiday, I have had to rethink my biased views. The first time I went, I was I have to admit, somewhat shocked by the difference from England, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. I guess as an English Girl (of good upbringing) I imagined South Africa to be third world mud huts and lions walking around in your back yard. Yes, there is an element of third world to the place - the squatter camps which you can't help but notice as your drive past them. They are huge, and overwhelming, and it ...  Read the complete review

I love South Africa, so much so I don't want to go back. I did it all while I lived there for six months and like a great holiday romance, you cram it all in and then you have to let go. Its an intense country, make no mistake, and as a pale Englishman abroad I was fairgame for the locals, mugged three times in those 24 weeks. Being mugged is just as painful as being dumped by a pretty girl though and all part of life's experience in Africa. You're a tourist; you're like the timid young antelope on the dusty plains to the wise old lion's eye and so you will be downed eventually. But enough about Johannesburg! Get yourself down to Cape Town as quick as possible and enjoy ...  Read the complete review

The fact that South Africa has 11 official languages tells you right away that although it is one country, it is an extraordinarily diverse one. For once 'a world in one country' is not just hyperbole! With hugely varied and interesting cultures, and landscapes ranging from vibrant cities to empty deserts, from tropical rainforest to open plains teeming with wildlife - South Africa would take a lifetime to explore thoroughly... so why not start now?! I've lived on and off in South Africa, including studying out there, I'm now married to a South African, and I used to work in the travel industry selling holidays to South Africa (not anymore, so my reviews are ...  Read the complete review

My mother is originally from South Africa. She was born in Capetown, a city which has one of the best tourist attractions. Including Table mountain, which overlooks Robin Island (where once Nelson Mandela was jailed) I have been there five times, in the last ten years. I have grown to love the country so much that i plan to emigrate soon. Nothing is ever perfect in life, and the only downfall is the violence, and fear of the people living there. If only everyone saw the world as one, no black or white, no rich or poor, this would be the perfect country to live in. Its definitely worth visiting the country! ...  Read the complete review

Why did we go? My wife and I have had some very enjoyable holidays in various parts of the world but we had never been to South Africa. I suppose we were a bit concerned about safety because of reports we had seen in the press about high crime rates and violence. However, last Christmas we met an old friend who had “discovered” South Africa a few years ago. He assured us that South Africa was just as safe for tourists as many other places, provided that you follow a few common sense rules. We decided to give it a try and booked a 2-week holiday there for November last year. We chose November as this is the early summer down there and we reckoned ...  Read the complete review