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HICKING IN SOUTH AFRICA Camping and hiking have been popular outdoor activities in South Africa for many years. The country's diverse landscapes, from mountains to beaches, offer a range of opportunities for adventure seekers. Many national parks and nature reserves provide camping facilities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the South African wilderness. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a first-time camper, South Africa has something to offer for everyone. The top 8 hikes in South Africa for stunning views Rhebok Hiking Trail Best summit hike 19-mile (31km) loop, 2 days, challenging ... Otter Trail Best multi-day hike 28 miles (45km), 5 days, moderate ... Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail Best canyon hike ... Leopard’s Kloof Hiking Trail Best hike for families ... Olifantsbos Shipwreck Trail Best history hike ... Platteklip Gorge Trail Best urban hike ... Rim of Africa Best bucket list hike 403 miles (650km), 61 days, challenging ... Drupkelders Hiking Trail Tripadvisor (61) · Wanderpfad Queen St, Knysna · website routenplaner Kranshoek Hiking Trail Tripadvisor (35) · Wanderpfad Harkerville · Geschlossen · Öffnet morgen um 08:00 website routenplaner Shipwreck Hiking & Canoe Trails Tripadvisor (15) · Wanderpfad Sea Mist Drive, Port Alfred · website routenplaner Wathaba Hiking Trail - Day Tours Tripadvisor (10) · Wanderpfad R541, Machadodorp, Badplaas · Geschlossen · Öffnet morgen um 08:00 website routenplaner Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail Tripadvisor (27) · Wanderpfad R71, Tzaneen Swellendam Hiking Trail Swellendam Hiking Trail Tripadvisor (26) · Wanderpfad Marloth Nature Reserve, Swellendam · Wathaba Hiking Trail - Day Tours Wathaba Hiking Trail - Day Tours Tripadvisor (10) · Wanderpfad R541, Machadodorp, Badplaas · Geschlossen · Öffnet morgen um 08:00 Hennops Hiking Trail & Mtb Hennops Hiking Trail & Mtb Wanderpfad R511, Pretoria · CAMPING IN SOUTH AFRICA Reinheim River Chalets & Caravan Park Bloemfontein Tripadvisor (23) · Campingplatz Off N1, Masselpoort And Glen Turnoff, Bloemfontein · website Reyneke Park Tripadvisor (15) · Campingplatz 5 B Brendar St, Bloemfontein · 24 Stunden geöffnet website Camp Aquila Campingplatz R523, Soutpansberg website CAMPING SOUTH AFRICA Limpopo Province is located in the far northern part of South Africa and shares borders with … North West Province Campsites in North West South Africa. Best Camping in North West on SA … Campsites in KwaZulu Natal Camping Blog. Travel Tips; Contact Us. Resort owners; Home; Locations; … The Six Principles of Safety on the Trail - Hiking in South Africa You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared: With knowledge and gear Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start. By reading our guidebook, you already have taken important steps in preparing for your hiking adventure in South Africa. To leave your plans Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you’ll return and your emergency plans. Don't forget to write down your cell phone number for the person you leave the trail description with. To stay together When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person. Try avoiding hiking by yourself. If in doubt, take a local guide with you. To turn back Weather can change quickly in the raining season. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. Be especially cognizant of the danger of weather changes in the mountains. For emergencies Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life-threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself. To share To share the hiker code with others. Based on http://hikesafe.com We also recommend that you do not pick flowers or other plants, that you don't play loud music, that you do not disturb animals and that you do not litter while on the trail. You can improve the hiking experience of others by collecting some litter as well. Check out this great video which was produced as part of the Hike Safety Project. Although it was developed for hiking in the green mountains of New Hampshire in the US, the lessons learned from the hikers in the video are equally relevant to hikers in South Africa. 11 safety tips for your next South African hike The murder of Ukrainian hiker Ivan Ivanov, 43, on a popular hiking trail in Cape Town has prompted safety concerns for travellers heading for hikes within the country. IOL Travel spoke to Rim of Africa ’s Galeo Saintz on what safety tips travellers should take when going on their next hike. Have the right gear Depending on the type of environment, carry items that are appropriate for the terrain and destination. For example, hikers should invest in quality hiking boots than walking barefoot or using flip flops. Always carry a space blanket and extra water A space blanket is a low-weight, low-bulk blanket made of heat-reflective thin plastic sheeting to help with thermal control. The blanket comes in handy during emergencies. Hikers should always carry extra water in their bags. Always carry a charged cellphone and power bank in your hiking bag Having battery power on your phone is necessary, especially if you are embarking on longer hikes. More on this 3 off the beaten track paths for your next hiking holiday PICS: 7 essentials you need to pack for a hiking holiday Hike in groups Hiking is an enjoyable activity best enjoyed with company. Try to hike with a few people for safety and when in remote regions. It is advisable not to hike alone. Research the route Thanks to the power of online, searching for information about your hiking routes is a click of a button away. Things to consider are the dangers common to the trail, criminal incidents and types of reptiles and animals to watch out for. Carry food and energy snacks Some hikes take longer than expected, and the last thing you want is to be without some food when the hunger pangs strike. Warm clothing in the event of unexpected change in weather A jacket or two comes in handy- especially if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Alert people about the hike details Tell people where you are going and your expected time of arrival. Carry a small stove to make hot water This rule is for longer hikes. It comes in handy for emergencies like boiling water, or reheating meals. Choose hikes according to fitness level While it is tempting to choose a popular hiking trail for the “gram”, one should also take their fitness level into account. Do not attempt challenging hikes if you haven’t hiked before. Be vigilant Capturing every moment of the hike may seem ideal, but one has to make sure that they are vigilant at all times. Is Going on Safari Dangerous? Every safari has an element of danger; that's what makes it exciting. While many of the animals you'll encounter can be dangerous , the four that you really have to watch out for are—elephant, lion, buffalo , and hippo (add crocodiles to that list if you're near water). Most safari operators and guides at the various lodges and game reserves will stress basic precautions you need to take while game viewing. It will also help if you follow basic safari etiquette. If you are on safari in smaller, more remote game parks or encounter wildlife outside of game parks, here are some general rules to follow: If You Are in a Vehicle Always stay in your car. When driving in a game park remain in your vehicle. Only get out at designated "hides" and follow the rules that will be posted. There have been several fatalities that occurred because a hapless tourist has wandered out of their vehicle, camera in hand, to get a closer shot of an elephant or lion. It may sound silly, but it happens. Don't stand up or stick anything out of the car. Many safari vehicles are open-topped, and the wildlife is generally accustomed to these. But, if you stand up or wave something around on the side, some animals will get annoyed and consequently aggressive. You also have to remember that poaching is rife in many areas, and anything that looks like a gun can trigger a very nasty response from a wild animal. Drive slowly and carefully. During the wet season, the grass can get quite high, and it's not always possible to tell when a large buffalo or elephant will decide to step into the middle of the road. Remember, you have to stop if this happens. Buffalos and elephants are not in the least bit afraid or impressed by you or your car. Keep your windows up. If you are in a car with windows, it's better to keep them closed. You could end up being harassed by baboons as you drive through the more popular game parks. They are so habituated to cars they are not afraid to leap upon them and dent the roof. You don't want one inside your vehicle. If You Are on Foot If you are on a walking safari, you will no doubt be briefed on safety by your guides. But, there are times when you'll be walking in Africa and encounter wildlife without a guide. You could run into elephants even in the middle of town. Baboons are also a menace in many places and a lot larger than you think. Here are some basic tips if you encounter wildlife eye to eye: Try and stay downwind from the animal. If the animal catches your scent, it will know you are there, and you have no idea whether this will make it angry or afraid. If an animal you approach looks hostile, make sure you are not in the way of its escape route. Give the animal a clear birth and don't make any noise to aggravate the situation further. Walk away slowly. If you encounter an animal that doesn't like your presence move back slowly and quietly. More Tips Avoid swimming in rivers or lakes unless you are absolutely sure there are no hippos or crocodiles. Hippos are the most dangerous of all the big animals. They feed on the banks of the river, and if they sense danger will charge and attack whatever lies in their path in order to get back to the safety of the water. If you are camping out in the open, always make sure you have something covering you even if it's just a mosquito net. Hyenas like to check out camps for leftover food and are especially attracted to protruding objects, so keep your feet and nose inside that tent or net. Always wear boots and socks when walking around the bush. There are plenty of venomous snakes and scorpions around that could bite you. Don't walk around at night in areas where you know there is wildlife present that can be potentially harmful to you. That includes the beaches and around lakes where hippos graze between tents on a camping safari. Also, be careful in towns. Hyenas wander around freely in the capital city of Lilongwe in Malawi, so always be cautious. Wild Camping in South Africa: Why not to do it, and alternatives We know, you’re an off-the-beaten track kinda person. That’s why you’re here. You’re on of us, and we appreciate that. Sometimes, though, we need to approach adventure with a mindful attitude to keep safe. Read on to find out what we mean… Are you yearning for an adventure that goes beyond overcrowded holiday camp grounds? Maybe dreaming of an off-the-grid escapade that promises raw, untouched nature and a true sense of solitude? Then it’s likely you have heard of wild camping – the kind of camping that takes you far from the designated campsites into the uncharted territories of South Africa’s stunning landscapes. It sounds like a thrilling prospect, doesn’t it? The allure of discovering hidden corners and secluded vistas is irresistible. You might even think it’s the Camp Master dream. But before you barrel off into the countryside, hold on just a moment! While the idea of venturing into the wild may seem enticing, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in South Africa. It’s also – and we can’t stress this enough – pretty illegal and dangerous in many parts of our country. In this article, we’re covering why wild camping is risky, and the alternatives you can try that are much safer AND satisfy that urge for a truly backwoods adventure. You can have the best of both worlds, and be sure of your safety while doing it. The Risks of Wild Camping in South Africa Legal Implications Yes, we know, in theory nature is boundless and belongs to nobody.. Here’s the thing, though – most of the land in South Africa is privately owned or protected, which makes it a legal no-no to set up your camp without proper authorization. Trespassing on private property or protected reserves can land you in serious trouble, including fines that might dent your wallet and your plans. You might also disturb delicate protected areas or cause issues in biomes that you didn’t know were delicate. How would you like it if someone came to camp in YOUR front garden unannounced and declared it public property? Safety Concerns Let’s talk about safety. Picture this: you’re in the middle of nowhere, setting up your tent under the vast African sky, when suddenly you hear rustling in the bushes. While the romantic in you might hope it’s just a harmless critter passing by, South Africa’s wilderness is known for its diverse and, at times, dangerous wildlife. Being far from designated camping areas also means being far from immediate help in case of emergencies. If nobody knows where you are, in the event of an accident, nobody will even know something has gone wrong. Not only are you risking your own life, but you’re also wasting the resources and time of those who may be forced to go far out of their way to rescue you because you didn’t listen to your favourite Camp Master team members… Environmental Impact Let’s not forget the impact of pitching a camp where you’re not supposed to on the environment. Unfortunately, the thrill of exploring untamed regions often comes with unintentional consequences. Trampling on delicate flora, leaving behind non-biodegradable waste, and disturbing the natural ecosystem can result in irreversible damage to the very landscapes we set out to admire. You can’t claim to be a nature lover if your actions are risking a habitat’s well-being for a night or two of fun in the bush. The Appeal of Designated Camping Sites So, does that mean you should abandon your remote and free-spirited outdoor dreams altogether? Absolutely not! You’re in the perfect location to have a wild camping adjacent experience that’s safe for you and the environment. South Africa is replete with designated camping sites that offer the perfect balance between adventure and sustainability. These sites ensure that you can still experience the untamed beauty of nature while having access to basic amenities and emergency services, and because there are so many of these sites around our country, you will always be able to find a spot that’s remote and uncrowded if people are what you want to get away from. Plus, they promote responsible tourism, emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment and respecting local communities. And toilets. Don’t forget the toilets. To summarise, here’s why you should be picking a camping spot: Safety: Designated camping sites often have safety measures in place, including game ranges, security patrols, and emergency services in case of any unforeseen incidents. Facilities: These sites typically offer facilities such as toilets, clean water, fire pits, picnic tables, and sometimes even showers, making the camping experience more convenient and comfortable. Legal Compliance: Camping in designated areas ensures that you are adhering to local regulations and laws, minimising the risk of fines or legal complications that may arise from unauthorized wild camping. Environmental Protection: Designated sites are usually chosen and maintained to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area remains preserved for others to enjoy. Let the experts choose where you step. Community Support: By utilizing designated camping sites, you contribute to the local economy and support the maintenance of recreational areas, which benefits the surrounding communities and encourages sustainable tourism practices. Keep it local and lekker! Top Off-the-Grid Wild Camping Alternatives in South Africa Now, let’s talk about some of the most breathtaking, off-the-grid camping spots in South Africa that will satiate your thirst for adventure without compromising on safety. These are as close to wild camping as you can get without any of the disadvantages, and you’ll still feel like you’re answering the call of the wild with a resounding “howzit!” Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Northern Cape) Immerse yourself in the grandeur of a remote desert landscape where the silence is broken only by the whispers of the wind. The Richtersveld Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape offers designated camping spots that give you the feeling of being marooned in a tranquil oasis of sky and sand. Make sure to equip yourself with Campmaster’s rugged range of canvas tents and coolers to ensure your comfort and safety in this rustic terrain. Tankwa Karoo National Park (Western Cape) For those seeking an otherworldly experience, the Tankwa Karoo National Park in the Western Cape presents an arid wonderland, where the stark beauty of the landscape is matched only by the brilliance of the starry night sky. With its secluded campsites equipped with basic amenities, it provides the perfect blend of adventure and convenience. Don’t forget to carry Campmaster lanterns and portable grills to enhance your camping experience under the cosmic symphony. The Tankwa is protected and pristine, so we highlighly recommend practising the “Leave No Trace” principles on your trip. Find out more about sustainable camping in our blog. Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area (Eastern Cape) If you’re in search of rugged terrains and spectacular biodiversity, look no further than the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area in the Eastern Cape. Seriously, the Eastern Cape is incredibly underrated. Its serene landscapes and diverse flora and fauna promise an immersive camping experience that might make you feel like you’re on another planet. The area offers several campsites catering to varying levels of comfort, ensuring that you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and soak in the raw beauty of nature. Be sure to bring along Camp Master all-terrain sleeping mats or If you’d like to be WILDY comfy, one of these nifty air beds: Queen Airbed Combo Single Airbed Double Airbed and Pump Tips for Responsible Camping Before you embark on your next outdoor expedition – in a designated campsite, of course – here are some crucial tips to ensure a responsible and safe camping experience: In this case, asking for forgiveness ISN’T better than asking for permission. Always seek permission before setting foot on private or protected lands. Respect the rules and regulations set forth by the authorities and landowners. Adhere to the “Leave No Trace” principles, which means that you should leave the campsite just as you found it. Dispose of waste properly and minimize your environmental impact. We know a thing or two about sustainable camping here at Camp Master… Be wildlife-aware. Store your food securely, maintain a safe distance from wild animals, and educate yourself about the potential risks associated with the local fauna. There’s nothing wuite as statling ans an unexpected critter, for you AND the critter. Go wild – SAFELY – with Camp Master As you gear up for your next outdoor escapade, remember that responsible and safe camping doesn’t mean sacrificing the thrill of adventure. If anything, addin an element of reassured safety makes it even MORE fun. South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes are waiting to be explored, and with the right preparation and mindset, you can embark on a journey that is both exhilarating and respectful to your environment and the dedicated people who take care of it. So, pack your bags, set your compass, and get ready to create unforgettable memories in the heart of South Africa’s natural wonders. As you head don’t forget to equip yourself with durable, high-quality, and affordable camping gear from Camp Master. You can kit up at a Game, Builders’ Warehouse or Makro near you. Camping Safety Advice to Ignore at your Peril Camping in South Africa is a great way to de-stress and reconnect with nature, but it can be dangerous if you are unprepared and things go wrong. The key to a successful trip is awareness and planning. Camping is a safe activity that is done by millions of people every year who want to escape city life and experience the great outdoors. However life out in the bush can be dangerous and to have a successful camping trip you need to have some basic bush and camping knowledge. One of the best things that you can do is be prepared. Camping safety starts long before you leave. You will need to take many things with you to make your trip comfortable. One of the most important things that you need is to have an understanding of the possible dangers in the area where you will be camping. This includes knowing what dangerous animals, snakes and scorpions you may encounter - learn to identify them and how to avoid them. Remember, most animals are more scared of humans than you are of them and will only attack if they feel threatened or trapped. Do not approach wild animals too closely or attempt to feed them as this is when most incidents happen. Before you leave Take with you a well equipped first aid kit and make sure that it contains the basic as well as anti-histamines, antibiotics, nausea medicine and Imodium. You need to make sure that any medicines in your kit have not passed their expiration date. Make sure that there are at least two family members who know how to use the kit and have knowledge of first aid. Learn to recognise the symptoms of serious injuries so that you know when to get help. Tell some friends or family where you are planning on travelling and when you are due back. When you arrive at the park or reserve you should register with the park administration. You will probably have to pre-book camping spots and check in. The reason for this is if there is an emergency and you do not return someone will come looking for you. When camping, prepare for the unexpected. Make sure that you have a detailed map or GPS maps of the area you will camp in. This will help you find your way if you get lost. Take along a whistle, pocket knife and matches or waterproof fire starter. Take some extra food and water along in case you get stuck for any reason. Check the weather before you leave for your entire trip and pack appropriately. Be sure to pack for both hot and cold weather, but do not over pack - you don't want to be lugging to much stuff along. Re-wear clothing during the trip so you do not have to carry to much luggage. If you are out hiking, take a jacket with you. Keep an eye on the weather as it can change quickly. Once you arrive Leave early on the first day of your trip so that you arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight left to set up your camp. If you have not pre-booked a camping spot and are free to camp where you like choose your site carefully. Make sure there are no stumps or sharp sticks, poisonous plants, ants and other insects close by. Trees - more dangerous than you think It is advisable that you do not camp under a tree. If you want to camp under a tree for shade make sure that the tree has no dead limbs that are likely to fall. Check to make sure that the tree has not been hollowed out by termites, as in the middle of the night you do not want a huge tree branch falling down on top of you. Check that your chosen camping spot is not in the middle of a well used game trail as you do not want the local wildlife blundering over your tent in the middle of the night. Find your water source. Many campsites in South Africa have clean and drinkable water on tap. If you do end up drinking from streams or rivers, make sure that the water is fast flowing. You can purify it with purification tablets with you. There are some camping destinations where you will have to take your own water with you. A camp fire not a bush fire Build your fire in a designated fire pit or well away from your tent. The last thing you want is the wind to pick up sparks and blow them onto your highly flammable tent. Build your fire well away from any dry grass, twigs and nearby bushes - the last thing you want to start is an out of control wild fire. Follow all the park and reserve regulations regarding fires. Last thing at night make sure that the fire is completely out by pouring water over the embers. Never leave a fire unattended. Animal magnetism To avoid attracting animals such as Baboons and Honey Badgers, make sure that you do not leave food lying around. Any rubbish should be placed in bins provided or if there are no bins in the area where you are camping, you should pack the rubbish and take it away with you. 5 of the Best Camping Spots in South Africa Choose a camping holiday and reboot your connection with nature. Find inspiration and peace in surroundings that 'speak' to you. Camping spo...more Nature Reserves Travel Guide Before planning your holiday read these useful Travel Tips & Advice for going on a getaway to South African Nature Reserves....more BACK TO TOP

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Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. Guide to South Africa Tours and South Africa Travel and Tourism Our Homepages and Partner Links. South Africa Link and Partner Link Pages Diving Dive Sites: South Africa , World Valley Bushveld Safaris Professional Hunter and Safari Outfitter. An affordable and unforgettable hunting experience, which will remain with you for the rest of your life. We offer the hunter an opportunity to hunt a wide selection of game species. We cater for those hunters who want to rough it out in the African bush or those who need a relaxing getaway. CampsBayGlen - Camps Bay accommodation Campsbayglen is not only unique because of its incredible position on the edge of a glen and nature reserve. Also because of its natural river & waterfalls running through the garden fresh from the misty peaks of Table Mountain. Its also special because its simple, rustic and down to earth & affordable at our Camps Bay guest house in Cape Town. Stop Crime In South Africa Stop Farm Killing in South Africa Die Tuis Blad South African Boere Links Stay Alive in South Africa The South African Awb Leader Culture in South Africa The Flags of South Africa South African Foods South African Arts South African Guide The South African Nine Provinces South Africa Information South Africa's Independence is Tarnished by Apartheid Jan Christiaan Smuts brought the nation into World War II on the Allied side against Nationalist opposition, and South Africa became a charter member of the United Nations in 1945, but he refused to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Apartheid—racial separation—dominated domestic politics as the Nationalists gained power and imposed greater restrictions on Bantus (black Africans), Asians, and Coloreds (in South Africa the term meant any nonwhite person). Black voters were removed from the voter rolls in 1936. Over the next half-century, the nonwhite population of South Africa was forced out of designated white areas. The Group Areas Acts of 1950 and 1986 forced about 1.5 million Africans to move from cities to rural townships, where they lived in abject poverty under repressive laws. South Africa declared itself a republic in 1961 and severed its ties with the Commonwealth, which strongly objected to the country's racist policies. The white supremacist National Party, which had first come to power in 1948, would continue its rule for the next three decades. In 1960, 70 black protesters were killed during a peaceful demonstration in Sharpesville. The African National Congress (ANC), the principal antiapartheid organization, was banned that year, and in 1964 its leader, Nelson Mandela, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Black protests against apartheid grew stronger and more violent. In 1976, an uprising in the black township of Soweto spread to other black townships and left 600 dead. Beginning in the 1960s, international opposition to apartheid intensified. The UN imposed sanctions, and many countries divested their South African holdings. Apartheid's grip on South Africa began to give way when F. W. de Klerk replaced P. W. Botha as president in 1989. De Klerk removed the ban on the ANC and released its leader, Nelson Mandela, after 27 years of imprisonment. The Inkatha Freedom Party, a black opposition group led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, which was seen as collaborating with the apartheid system, frequently clashed with the ANC during this period. Apartheid is Abolished; Mandela Becomes President In 1991, a multiracial forum led by de Klerk and Mandela, the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), began working on a new constitution. In 1993, an interim constitution was passed, which dismantled apartheid and provided for a multiracial democracy with majority rule. The peaceful transition of South Africa from one of the world's most repressive societies into a democracy is one of the 20th century's most remarkable success stories. Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.The 1994 election, the country's first multiracial one, resulted in a massive victory for Mandela and his ANC. The new government included six ministers from the National Party and three from the Inkatha Freedom Party. A new national constitution was approved and adopted in May 1996. In 1997 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Desmond Tutu, began hearings regarding human rights violations between 1960 and 1993. The commission promised amnesty to those who confessed their crimes under the apartheid system. In 1998, F. W. de Klerk, P.W. Botha, and leaders of the ANC appeared before the commission, and the nation continued to grapple with its enlightened but often painful and divisive process of national recovery. Mbeki Takes Over From Mandela Nelson Mandela, whose term as president cemented his reputation as one of the world's most farsighted and magnanimous statesmen, retired in 1999. On June 2, 1999, Thabo Mbeki, the pragmatic deputy president and leader of the ANC, was elected president in a landslide, having already assumed many of Mandela's governing responsibilities. In his first term, Mbeki wrestled with a slumping economy and a skyrocketing crime rate. South Africa, the country with the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world (6.5 million in 2005), has been hampered in fighting the epidemic by its president's highly controversial views. Mbeki has denied the link between HIV and AIDS and claimed that the West has exaggerated the epidemic to boost drug profits. The international community as well as most South African leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, have condemned Mbeki's stance. In 2006, 60 international scientists called the government's policies “disastrous and pseudo-scientific.” As expected, on April 15, 2004, the African National Congress won South Africa's general election in a landslide, taking about 70% of the vote, and Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for a second term. In December 2007, African National Committee delegates chose Jacob Zuma as their leader, ousting Mbeki, who had been in control of the party for the last ten years. Zuma was acquitted of rape charges in 2006. In late December, prosecutors reopened corruption charges against Zuma and ordered him to face trial for "various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption, and fraud." He was accused of accepting more than $440,000 in bribes in exchange for helping a friend, Schabir Shaik, secure $5 billion in an arms deal and other government contracts. Zuma's lawyers accused Mbeki of trying to sabotage Zuma's political career. A High Court judge dismissed the corruption charges against Zuma in September 2008, saying the government mishandled the prosecution. The judge also criticized President Mbeki for attempting to influence the prosecution of Zuma. Motlanthe Serves as "Interim" President; Opposition to the ANC Grows Under pressure from leaders the African National Congress (ANC), Mbeki announced he would step down just days after Zuma was cleared. While party leader's cited Mbeki's alleged interference in the corruption case against Zuma, Mbeki's resignation culminated several years of bitter infighting between Zuma and Mbeki, which led to discord in the ANC. On Sep. 25, Parliament elected Kgalema Motlanthe, a labor leader who was imprisoned during apartheid, as president. Zuma must be a member of Parliament before he can be elected president. Parliamentary elections are expected in early 2009. On his first day as president, Motlanthe acted to move beyond Mbeki's resistance to using modern and effective methods, such as antirretroviral medicines, to tackle its AIDS crisis by replacing South Africa's health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who has suggested that garlic, lemon juice, and beetroot could cure AIDS, with Barbara Hogan. "The era of denialism is over," she said. More than 5.7 million South Africans are HIV-positive, the highest number of any country in the world. In November, about 6,400 dissident members of the ANC held a convention in Johannesburg and decided to form a new party that will challenge the leadership of the ANC. The delegates, many of whom supported former president Mbeki, expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the party, calling it corrupt, authoritarian, and "rotting." In December, the new party, the Congress of the People (COPE), selected former defense minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its president. Zuma Assumes the Presidency South African's Supreme Court reinstated corruption charges against Zuma in January 2009, saying that a lower court had "overstepped" its authority in dismissing the charges. However, the country's prosecuting authority dropped all charges against Zuma in April, about two weeks before national elections, citing “intolerable abuse” by investigators who were loyal to former president Mbeki. In April's general election, the ruling party, the African National Congress, won overwhelming support, taking 65.9% of the vote, just shy of a two-thirds majority, which is required to change the constitution. Parliament elected Zuma president in May. 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Our Services KRUGER NATIONAL PARK BIG FIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA South African Endangered Wildlife South Africa Safari Information Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,485 square kilometres 7,523 sq mi in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 kilometres 220 mi from north to south and 65 kilometres 40 mi from east to west. The big five are among the most dangerous, yet most popular species for big game hunters to hunt.Safari Club International, an organization dedicated to trophy hunters, offers a trophy for hunting all five species, called the "African Big Five Grand Slam," along with 14 other Grand Slams for other species. South African Endangered Wildlife Our ancestors viewed the Earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care for it. It is not difficult to forgive destruction in the past which resulted from ignorance. Today, however, we have access to more information, and it is essential that we re-examine ethically what we have inherited, what we are responsible for, and what we will pass on to coming generations. Many of the main tourist areas in South Africa are malaria-free, however, the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal do pose a malaria risk in the summer months. Health care professionals recommend you take malaria prophylaxis. BACK TO TOP

South African Road Trips South Africa offers some of the world’s most diverse landscapes, from sparkling oceans and stark deserts to snow-capped peaks and wildlife-dense savanna. But it’s not just the land that makes South Africa so enthralling – the wealth of the country’s diverse cultural groups, each contributing its own architecture, traditional cuisine and customs, adds to the alluring mix. Traveling by car, with the ability to stop, explore and wander on your own schedule, might be the ideal way to take in all this variety. Here's our pick of the six best road trips in South Africa. The Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List (+ Free Checklist! I we went on my first road trip from Cape Town to Grahamstown Before that, I drove all the way along the Garden Route, up to Durban and then spent five days in the Kruger National Park before driving back down to Cape Town. Oh, and after both those trips, the wide-open road called my name once more, and I drove from the Mother City up to Johannesburg. All in all, (who only had 25,000 km before all this madness) is now cruising around on 32000 km and counting! Not sure what to pack for a road trip? I’ve got you covered! Below, you’re going to find a list of: • All the things to bring on a road trip (+ eco-friendly options) • Everything I didn’t know was important (like where to find your jack) • What I forgot Road Trip Car Essentials Spare Tire: Do not reverse your car out of the garage without a spare tire in your boot! During my epic road trip from Cape Town to Kruger National Park, we spent three days in Coffee Bay, and I got my first ever puncture. And ladies, make sure you know how to change a flat tire and where to find the spanner and jack in your car. Emergency Car Kit: You never know what might happen while you’re cruising down the open road. Be prepared for any kind of drama with an emergency car kit. It includes a breakdown roadside kit, a high visibility best, jumper cables, rope and much more. Emergency Puncture Repair Kit: If you’re stranded in the wilderness with a flat tire, you can use an emergency puncture repair kit to get you safely to a car repair shop. It can fix a flat tyre in seconds, BUT it’s only a temporary solution. Car Fluids: Some of the extra fluids you’ll want to keep in your car are a litre of water (in case it overheats), brake fluid, extra transmission fluid, oil and antifreeze. Drivers License: Probably one of the most important things on your road trip packing list. South Africa traffic cops love a good roadblock and issuing fines for every little thing. If you’re taking your car across borders, don’t forget your papers! Car & Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance is one of the best insurance options for travellers. It covers extreme sports, protects all your gear and will pay out for any unexpected trips to the hospital. For car insurance, I recommend taking the tire & windshield if you’re renting. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Owner’s Manual: I won’t lie. The first time I opened my owner’s manual was four years after I bought my car. I had no idea where to find the jack in my car. If you’re renting or still learning new and wonderous things about your vehicle, double to check to make sure the owner’s manual is packed and ready for your trip! Roadside Assitance: When you’re planning a road trip in a foreign country (and your own!), it’s a good idea to have the phone numbers of roadside assistance. Portable Garbage Can: After a few stops at Wimpy and Steers, your car will start to look like a moving trash can. Keep your vehicle clean with a portable garbage can. It takes up hardly any space in your car and folds up when not in use. Sea Point Promenade Strolling along Sea Point’s wide, paved and grassy promenade is a pleasure shared by Capetonians from all walks of life. Once a white-only area, it’s now a great place to observe the city's multiculturalism. There are kids' playgrounds, a well-maintained outdoor gym and several public artworks. The coast here is rocky and swimming is dangerous, although you can get in the water at Rocklands Beach. If you’re too thin-skinned for the frigid sea, try the Sea Point Pavilion pool complex, towards the promenade’s southern end Sea Point to Hout Bay Sea Point blends into ritzier Bantry Bay and Fresnaye before culminating in the prime real estate of Clifton and Camps Bay, where white modernist villas climb the slopes above golden beaches. South of here, the stunning coast road passes beneath the Twelve Apostles range, and urban development is largely curtailed by Table Mountain National Park until you reach delightful Hout Bay. This harbor town has good access to both the city and, via Constantia Nek pass, the vineyards of Constantia. S A Road Link Bustouren 16 Park Rd, Willows, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa, Bloemfontein · +27 51 430 9061 The Garden Route The Garden Route is a must-see on the list of most visitors gracing the shores of South Africa. The beauty of this region stretches for miles from Mossel Bay to Storms River and is a self-drive destination that will beguile you with its natural beauty. It has a wonderful mix of awe-inspiring beaches, dappled forests, peaceful lagoons and quaint seaside towns. It’s easy-to-navigate roads and short driving distances makes it an ideal destination for independent, self-drive vacations. It’s also perfectly paired with safari adventures in the Eastern Cape. The Wild Coast, Eastern Cape The ruggedly beautiful and aptly named Wild Coast runs from the coastal city of East London in the south of the Eastern Cape to the border of Kwa-Zulu Natal some 350km to the northeast. As you drive across this region’s rolling hills, along its jagged coastlines or veer off the N2 onto the gravel roads that cut inland, you’ll often have the sense that little has changed here in the past hundred years. The hillsides are dotted with turquoise rondavels (round huts topped with thatched roofs) and small pastoral farming plots. Formerly known as the Transkei during apartheid, this region has a rich and often bloody history and birthed struggle icons including Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko, both of whose lives can be revisited at a number of local heritage sites . The Wild Coast also boasts the most idyllic and unspoilt beaches to be found anywhere in South Africa – at backpacking paradises like Coffee Bay or Port St Johns , you may find more cows lazing on the sand than people. The Kruger National Park South Africa’s biggest and best-known national park is home to the country's greatest diversity of animals and exquisite safari lodges on private game reserves. As one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, it boasts healthy populations of wildlife and highly sought-after sightings of cheetah and wild dog. But the Kruger’s pièce de résistance is the almost guaranteed encounter with the super-celebrities of the safari circuit: Africa’s iconic Big 5. Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape’s biggest draw is its reserves. It is a Big Five, malaria-free destination that is geared for travelling families in search of safari escapades. The Eastern Cape’s best-known reserve is the Addo Elephant National Park, most famous for its gentle giants. For big cat sightings and luxurious accommodation, there are a number of private reserves that have award-winning lodges, big cat sanctuaries and some being home to the rare white lion. Route 62, Western Cape Route 62 is so-named for the R62 road that cuts across the countless lovely vineyards of the Cape Winelands , through dramatic mountain passes and into the heart of the Little Karoo , a wild and dusty region of open scrubland, livestock farms and quaint rural towns. Route 62 is considerably less popular and less developed than its coastal counterpart the Garden Route, but it has gained a cult following amongst South Africans for its beauty, untamed eccentricity and distinct lack of traffic. The historic spa town of Montagu is well worth a visit for its pretty colonial architecture and hot springs , while the charmingly arty Barrydale has a number of good roadside cafés, including the Diesel & Crème Diner, known for its milkshakes and nostalgic American memorabilia. The best of the raw semi-desert landscapes and spectacular star-studded night skies are to be found in the Karoo National Park , while the Breede River Valley is a favourite for riverside camping and kayaking excursions. Panorama Route Dipping in and out of Mpumalanga ’s Blyde River Canyon , the world’s third largest, this cloud-high drive takes you through and along magnificent natural features – cliffs, waterfalls and forests, with eagles soaring above – while offering plenty of places to get out and stretch your legs. It’s a short hike, for example, to God’s Window , an overlook peeking down through jungly, bird-filled foliage some 2745m (9005ft) below. The Three Rondavels are a trio of soaring, grass-topped peaks resembling indigenous cone-shaped huts. Trails wander around Bourke’s Luck Potholes , cylindrical holes formed over thousands of years by the swirling waters of the Treur and Blyde rivers. Travel advice for South Africa From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to South Africa Crime and personal safety tips South Africa Eating and drinking in South Africa Getting around South Africa: Transportation Tips How to get to South Africa Travel Tips South Africa for planning and on the go Best time to visit South Africa Weather in Johannesburg in May South Africa is a country with diverse landscapes and breathtaking scenery, making it the perfect destination for a road trip. Whether you prefer the comfort of a motorcar or the thrill of a motorbike, there are endless routes to explore. From the coastal roads of the Garden Route to the winding mountain passes of the Drakensberg, South Africa offers a unique and unforgettable experience for any road trip enthusiast. Explore the North of South Africa: Sun City and Madikwe game reserve Before you start your South Africa road trip, there are a few essentials that you’ll want to make sure are in your car: • Credit card to pay for tolls (or cash) • Soy milk if you’re lactose intolerant or vegan • Cellphone charger for the car • A downloaded road trip playlist from Spotify • Money to pay for entrance fees at national parks • A spare wheel, spanner and jack • Tyre repair spray for punctures For those short on time, staying close to Johannesburg may make sense. On this trip, you'll arrive and depart in Johannesburg and then transfer to the theme park Lost City before continuing to Madikwe for a few days of game drives to spot plenty of wildlife. One Day Cape Town Road Trip 1 day 130 km Car See the highlights of Cape Town through this one day road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Muizenberg, Cape Point,... A 1 Day Self-Drive Safari to Pilanesberg S... 1 day 448 km Car Explore the highlights of Pilanesberg through this 1 day self-drive road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Pilanesberg National park,... Kempton to Kenton: The Perfect Family Road... 1 day 1081 km Car Explore the highlights of South Africa through this 1 day Kempton Park to Kenton on Sea road trip itinerary. Experience... Quick and Easy 2 Day Road Trip to Cape Tow... 2 days 1405 km Car Explore the highlights of Africa through this 140 day Africa motorcycle trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Gariep Dam, Richmond,... A Self-Drive Adventure: 3 Day Road Trip in... 3 days 393 km 4x4 See the best of the Etosha National Park through this 3 day road trip itinerary. Experience the incredible wildlife sightings,... Family Road Trip to Swakopmund 3 days 1755 km Car See some great destinations of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa through this 3 day family road trip itinerary. Experience the... 6 Day Itinerary and Route for a Northern K... 6 days 1600 km Motorhome This fantastic 6-day Itinerary through Kwazulu-Natal explores highlights such as: Cape Vidal, Hluhluwe, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and much more. Find... Best of the Garden Route: a 9 Day Road Trip 9 days 1212 km Car See the best of the Garden Route through this 9 day road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Knysna, Storms... Roadtrip Along The R62 Route In South Africa 2 days 785 km Car Explore the highlights of Route 62 through this 2-Day South Africa Family Trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of the wildlife,... I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip 2 days 1479 km Car Driving from Namibia to South Africa doesn't have to be boring. Check out this exciting 2 day journey from Windhoek... The Perfect 2 Day Sani Pass Road Trip 2 days 643 km 4x4 Explore the highlights of Lesotho through this 2 day Sani Pass road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Durban, Pietermaritzburg,... I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. 3 Day Adventure Road Trip from Johannesbur... 3 days 868 km Car Explore the highlights of Africa through this 140 day Africa motorcycle trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Johannesburg, Senekal, Ladybrand,... Worcester Wine and Olive Route R64 Road Trip 3 days 1140 km Car Explore the highlights of South Africa through this 2 day Worcester Wine and Olive Route R64 road trip itinerary. Experience... 4 Day Road Trip Through Limpopo and Mpumal... 4 days 1071 km Car Explore the highlights of South Africa through this 4 day road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Magoebaskloof, Route R71,... 6 Day Family Road Trip to the Kruger and B... 6 days 445 km Car See the best of the Kruger National Park through this 6 day road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Pilgrims... I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Namibia Road Trip: 12 Day Self-Drive Adven... 12 days 3500 km Car See the highlights of Namibia through this 12 Day road trip itinerary. Experience the beauty of Etosha National Park, the... Road Trip Accessories Umbrella or Raincoat: You can plan as much as possible around the weather, but a sudden downpour could always take you by surprise. A small travel-sized umbrella is one of those things you’ll always want to have in your car for a road trip. I’d also suggest investing in a raincoat that will easily fit in your day bag. Polarised Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun’s rays. You’ll need a pair of polarised sunglasses for bright white snow or long sunny days. I’m obsessed with Escape Society’s range at the moment! My favourite pair out of the three that I own are the Gold Vintage Round Lens. It comes with 100% UVA/UVB Protection and a microfibre pouch & cleaning cloth. Travel Pillow: Travel pillows aren’t just for long haul flights. Pack one if you’re planning on taking a few naps while on the road. If you’re not a fan of the traditional travel pillow, try the latest Trtl Pillow. It takes up half the space and science says it’s better for your neck. Day Bag: Whether you’re going hiking, camping or anything else, you need a road trip bag. If you’re in the market for a new day bag, I recommend splurging on the Rowdy Rucksack. It’s the perfect road trip backpack with enough space for a 15-inch laptop, all your camera gear and other essentials like your wallet, water bottle and sunscreen. If you’re looking for something smaller, I managed to fit my wallet, camera body and one lens in the Rowdy Sling. Waterproof Bag Cover: If you’re adventuring with a bag that’s not waterproof, protect your gear with a waterproof bag cover. They hardly take up any space, and it’s always nice to know you have it. Packable Down Jacket: When packing for a road trip in spring or autumn, bring along a packable down jacket. I used the white Lady Neva Insulated Jacket from Hi-tec during my Cape to Kruger trip. For colder climates, you’ll want something thicker, especially if snow is involved. Blankets: Get cosy in the backseat with a warm blanket. You can use it to block the sun while you’re sleeping, to combat the freezing air conditioning or for extra warmth in your tent or hotel. BACK TO TOP

Big Five Even though you know that Africa and South Africa are so much more than the Big Five, the familiar images soon begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffalos lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness. You’ve seen the Big Five in books and you’ve seen them on TV. But it’s time to come and see them for yourself. The real thing. In person. And there’s no better place for this than South Africa, which offers the most exciting, memorable and exhilarating experience of your life – coming face to face with the Big Five. Origin of the name How did these five animals – the lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard – come to be called the Big Five? It was originally a hunting term used by the so-called ‘great white hunters’ in the hunting heyday of the 19th and early 20thcenturies, when professional hunters bagged as many trophies as possible in as short a time as possible. Considered a rite of passage for seasoned travellers, everybody from American presidents to European royalty and heads of state came to Africa to shoot a large, dangerous animal. The Big Five quickly became known as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the name stuck – although now ‘shooting’ is done through a camera lens. From Targets to Tourist Attractions: Understanding and Protecting the Big Five in South Africa The Big Five are a big deal. Synonymous with safaris, this term carries with it a distinct whiff of excitement and adventure. It wasn’t always about merely spotting animals, however – the phrase goes back to the Colonial Era and was once a hit list rather than a safari checklist. So, what are the Big Five and how did these animals come to be revered above the rest? Introducing the Big Five Big Five refers to African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and Cape buffalo. The phrase today is usually used to market safaris, but was first coined by big-game hunters more than 100 years ago. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, everyone from European royalty to American presidents wanted to bag an African hunting trophy. The larger and more unpredictable the beast, the better – which is how the Big Five became famous. The Big Five may be dangerous, but they aren’t invincible. African lions , leopards , and elephants are all classed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The black rhinoceros is Critically Endangered and the Southern white rhino is Near Threatened, while the Northern white rhino is on the verge of extinction. The Cape buffalo is of the least concern in terms of conservation, but this also makes it the most popular animal to hunt. Hunting, poaching, and habitat loss combined mean the Cape buffalo’s population is also on the decline. Where can you find the Big Five? South Africa is a premier destination for viewing the Big Five . Around 80 percent of Africa’s remaining wild rhino population live in South Africa, according to CITES, along with an elephant population of approximately 12,000 – a major recovery from a mere 120 in 1920. There are roughly 20,000 lions left in South Africa (down from 200,000 at the turn of the twentieth century), while leopard numbers are estimated at around 4,500. Tourists have a good chance of seeing the Big Five in many of South Africa’s national parks and private reserves. To get a closer look and better understanding of the Big Five, a volunteer program is a great alternative to a safari. Volunteering in a wildlife reserve in the Kruger Area will give you plenty of opportunities to observe the animals in their natural habitat. No safari tour can compare to monitoring the behavior of elephants and rhinos alongside an expert conservation team! The Big Five then and now: How has game hunting changed since colonial times? There is still an active trade in legal hunting in Africa . South Africa is the biggest game hunting destination in the world. This practice however has undergone significant changes in implementation and public perception over the last century. Four of the Big Five can be hunted in South Africa – the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) banned leopard hunting in 2016. A lioness is typically the cheapest of the ‘set’ to bag, costing around $9,000 to hunt, while a white rhino can cost more than $125,000, says a report by the Natural Resources Committee. Back in colonial times, big game hunting had connotations of aristocracy and glamour. Today, game hunting still belongs to the elite and privileged, thanks to the hefty price tags, but for the most part associations of prestige and sportsmanship have been stripped away. Outside of hunting cliques, public opinion leans towards disgust over the killing of the Big Five. Given the widespread disapproval and population perils facing the Big Five, game hunters have shifted the way they present the practice. Supporters insist that hunting is helping to protect, rather than destroy, the animals. The Influence of Big Five game hunting on South Africa’s economy and conservation Remember Cecil the lion? This big cat’s death and subsequent photo of a dentist gloating over his body triggered outrage around the world and deeper examination of big game hunting in Africa. Arguments surrounding modern game hunting are heavily polarized. Defenders of game hunting say it can aid conservation efforts by generating revenue necessary to protect animals and their habitat – in many areas, land would be used for agriculture if it wasn’t for commercial hunting. Hunters also argue that they are helping to control animal populations and support local communities by providing jobs and income. This in turn could motivate people to protect animals from poaching. Critics argue that minimal profits reach local communities, and that whether or not hunting supports conservation relies on the appropriate management of funds raised and sustainable allocation of animal quotas. Inadequate monitoring makes these factors difficult to control. Either way, trophy hunting is big business in South Africa . According to Africa Check, around 8,500 trophy hunters visit South Africa each year, compared to 9.5 million tourists. These hunters spend more than the average tourist, averaging around $10,000 per hunting trip. Trophy hunting generates an estimated $100 million a year, says South Africa’s DEA. Game hunting might help conservation when managed appropriately, but there are ways to help the Big Five that are much more appealing to animal lovers. What can you do to help preserve the Big Five? Wildlife lovers can assist in conservation efforts, either as tourists or volunteers. Tourists who come to shoot the Big Five with a camera lens rather than a weapon play an important role in conservation. The safari industry generates income to protect parks and reserves, provides jobs for locals, and incentivizes wildlife conservation . Volunteering with animals in South Africa is an even more direct way for you to help in thier conservation. Wildlife conservation centers and safari reserves act as hubs for education, provide refuge for orphaned and injured creatures and facilitate breeding programs to ensure the future of the Big Five. Volunteer program fees at these centers contribute toward running costs, and volunteers themselves return home as ambassadors for animal conservation. Sound good? We might have just the ticket for you. GoEco’s Big Five Volunteer Programs GoEco offers several options for animal lovers keen to enounter the Big Five in an ethical and sustainable way. You can choose to carry out research on elephants , contribute to wildlife conservation efforts by adding your own snaps to a photographic database, or geo-track elusive species . Each project is structured around learning more about and protecting Africa’s unique and beautiful animals. Volunteering in South Africa is a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. You’ll develop practical skills and gain comprehensive wildlife knowledge, all while living in some of the continent’s most stunning wilderness areas. If you’re feeling the call of the wildlife and want to get directly involved in Big Five conservation, reach out to us today to find out more about volunteering with South African animals. Sources: http://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/11/prop/20.pdf http://www.panthera.org/cat/lion http://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-how-much-does-hunting-contribute-to-african-economies/ http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa854b/pdf http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/rhino_population_figures http://conservationaction.co.za/resources/reports/effects-trophy-hunting-five-africas-iconic-wild-animal-populations-six-countries-analysis/ http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/10/world/africa/africa-big-game-hunting.html http://conservationaction.co.za/resources/reports/effects-trophy-hunting-five-africas-iconic-wild-animal-populations-six-countries-analysis/ http://www.thedodo.com/does-hunting-help-conservation-1389284014.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_five_game http://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/127055/how-much-it-costs-to-hunt-the-big-five-in-south-africa/ http://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-leopards/big-5-off-the-cards-as-south-africa-closes-2016-leopard-hunting-season-idUSKCN0WF07C All Videos All Videos Video afspelen Delen Het hele kanaal Deze video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Link kopiëren Koppeling gekopieerd Search videos Video zoeken... Wordt afgespeeld South Africa Travel Documentary - Road trip along the Garden Route | Highlights [4K] 34:58 Video afspelen Wordt afgespeeld 10 Best Places to Visit in South Africa - Travel Video 11:41 Video afspelen Wordt afgespeeld SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL | The 15 BEST Places To Visit In South Africa (+ Travel Tips) 17:51 Video afspelen Wordt afgespeeld HIGH UP in the East Cape Drakensberg: So Many INSANE Mountain Passes! | Drakensberg pt.1 24:30 Video afspelen The Big Five The Lion The lion is arguably the most sought-after of the Big Five because it is synonymous with an African safari. Charismatic, powerful and beautiful, everybody wants to see the appropriately named 'King of the Beasts'. Once, hundreds of thousands of lions roamed the world, but today conservationists give approximate numbers of between 25 000 and 30 000 left, most in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, your chances of seeing lions are high, whether in our national parks or in private game reserves. Lions are creatures of the savannah and open plains (you’ll rarely find them in a forest) and function in prides, usually numbering about five to 15, depending on the territory – although the Kruger National Park is known to have at least one big pride of up to 25 animals. They are social family animals – related females rule, usually alongside a large dominant male that has won the pride in fierce competition with other males. Lionesses stay with the pride, while young males leave at two to three years of age. Males sometimes form coalitions to enhance their hunting success, but you’ll rarely see one with more than four lions. Lionesses start breeding at four years old, and typically give birth to a litter of three or four cubs after 14 to 15 weeks of gestation. Lionesses of the same pride often give birth at or near the same time as their ‘sisters’, which allows for communal suckling and round-the-clock care. And don’t expect to see an old lion – they are defeated in battle, often die of their wounds or are no longer able to hunt. Lions are in their prime from five to nine years of age. Male lions, once they’ve taken over a pride, have to work hard to keep it. Younger males – with attitude – are always on the sidelines. Some prides specialise in hunting certain animals and develop specialised skills for this prey of choice – young elephants, ostrich, wildebeest. Lions have no natural enemies other than hunters, although lion cubs fall prey to nomadic male lions that kill them in attempting to take over a pride. Hyenas, leopards and wild dogs also kill lion cubs. The Elephant The Elephant Perhaps it’s the African elephant that should be called ‘King of the Beasts’ – it is the world’s largest and heaviest land animal. Its ears alone measure up to 2m x 1.2m (roughly the size of the surface area of a double bed) and can weigh up to 20kg (44lb) each, while it can grow to a height of more than 3m. Elephants abound in South Africa – you can see great herds of more than 100 in the Kruger National Park or smaller breeding herds in private reserves. Elephants are highly social animals and females rule. A herd will typically have a matriarch with vast cultural knowledge that leads the herd, keeps it under control and chooses its direction and pace. Even when feeding (and an adult elephant, arguably nature’s most versatile vegetarian, can eat up to 300kg of grass, bark, branches and foliage a day), the herd rarely strays far from the matriarch. Young bulls leave the herd when they become teenagers and either live alone, form bachelor herds or seek the company of old lone bulls that have long left the herd. Your first sighting of a tiny baby elephant will be one of your most indelible memories. How do these small creatures, some not yet reaching up to their mother’s tummy, avoid being stepped on or crushed by the herd? Mother, sisters, aunts and cousins are always on the alert. Watch how mothers protect their babies by always putting themselves between danger and their offspring, and how the whole herd immediately goes into protective group defence mode when threatened. If an elephant trumpets, you’ll certainly hear it, but the infrasonic tummy rumbles they use to communicate with one another are most often too low for the human ear to pick up – although research shows that these calls have an elephant range of up to several kilometres. And just because elephants are huge, don’t think they are slow; if a herd takes fright, or needs to move on quickly, elephants can reach speeds up to 40km/h – faster than you can run. Elephants love water. To see a herd drinking, playing, splashing, swimming and dunking in the water will be another of your favourite safari memories. The Buffalo The Buffalo Don’t be fooled by the docile appearance of the Cape buffalo (also known as the African buffalo). This mean, moody and magnificent animal is possibly the most dangerous of the Big Five, especially if you are on foot. Robert Ruark, the American novelist, wrote that ‘a buffalo always looks at you as if you owe him money’. Come face to face with a buffalo (preferably from the safety of a vehicle), and you’ll see exactly what Ruark meant – the stare is cold, calculating and cunning. Buffalos are social animals and move around in large herds – sometimes of many hundreds – chomping long grass as they collectively move and feed. In the dry season, you can often see a cloud of dust signalling an approaching herd. Buffalos have to drink daily, and to witness a large herd approaching a waterhole – often in the early morning or late afternoon – is a memorable and noisy experience. It’s quite easy to tell the males from the females. The males are blacker, bigger and have huge powerful horns that are joined in the middle to form a ‘boss’. When buffalos fight for rank and females (buffalos are non-territorial and don’t fight for territory like some others of the Big Five), the noise of the clashing and crashing of their bosses is awesome. It is estimated that the impact of their horns’ collision is equal to a car hitting a wall at 50km/h. Females are smaller, more reddish-brown in colour, and their much narrower horns don’t meet in the middle. Calves are usually born in the rainy season, and although they can stand up on wobbly legs immediately, it takes several weeks until they can keep up adequately with the herd. Although most of a buffalo’s senses are well developed, it’s their super-charged hearing that helps them find food and alerts them to danger. There’s usually a dominant male – or more if the herd is huge – that stays in the middle of the herd, as well as ‘pathfinders’, which may not be the biggest and best, but lead the herd and keep it together. You may also see a group of old bulls together – caked in mud from wallowing. These are known as ‘Dagha Boys’ after the ‘dagha’, or mud, the Zulus used to build their traditional huts. It’s quite easy to tell the males from the females. The males are blacker, bigger and have huge powerful horns that are joined in the middle to form a ‘boss’. When buffalos fight for rank and females (buffalos are non-territorial and don’t fight for territory like some others of the Big Five), the noise of the clashing and crashing of their bosses is awesome. It is estimated that the impact of their horns’ collision is equal to a car hitting a wall at 50km/h. Females are smaller, more reddish-brown in colour, and their much narrower horns don’t meet in the middle. Calves are usually born in the rainy season, and although they can stand up on wobbly legs immediately, it takes several weeks until they can keep up adequately with the herd. Although most of a buffalo’s senses are well developed, it’s their super-charged hearing that helps them find food and alerts them to danger. There’s usually a dominant male – or more if the herd is huge – that stays in the middle of the herd, as well as ‘pathfinders’, which may not be the biggest and best, but lead the herd and keep it together. You may also see a group of old bulls together – caked in mud from wallowing. These are known as ‘Dagha Boys’ after the ‘dagha’, or mud, the Zulus used to build their traditional huts. The White Rhino The White Rhino Your first impression will be of its bulk and size. And then you may wonder how such a prehistoric-looking animal has existed for so many millions of years. Although unfortunately, the brutality and intensity of present-day poaching is a serious threat to the continuing survival of the species. The second-largest land mammal, the white rhino’s name has nothing to do with its colour. It was the early Dutch settlers who referred to the animal’s broad lips as ‘wyd’ (wide), misinterpreted later as ‘white’. This is a remarkable animal, weighing in at nearly 2 500kg (about 5 500lb) and often living up to 40 years of age. Because it is a grazer, eating thick, tough grass, it needs lots of water to digest its food, and needs to drink at least once daily. Sometimes you’ll see a rhino eating mud or soil, which acts as a dietary mineral supplement. Its horn is used for fighting and defence and is not attached to the skull in any way. Females live together in small groups, individuals breaking away when a determined bull decides to mate. Only one calf is born to a female at a time; the cow is very protective of her calf and will fight off an aggressive bull if necessary. The calf always runs in front of its mother if they are fleeing from danger (a black rhino calf, on the other hand, will run behind its mother). You’ll often find a white rhino resting in shade in the heat of the day or wallowing in mud. The dried mud acts as a sunscreen, a cooling agent and helps evict parasites that break off with the dried mud. Look out for rhino middens beside the road. These are huge heaps of dung, used regularly by a particular male rhino to mark his territory. Females and non-dominant bulls also defecate on these middens, which act as markers and information signals to other rhinos. Rhinos have poor eyesight but a fantastic sense of hearing and smell; watch a rhino’s ears – they constantly rotate in all directions as it works out what’s going on around it. And don’t think that because it’s so big and ungainly it’s a slow animal. If it’s running away (or chasing you), it can reach speeds of 40km/h. The Black Rhino The black rhino is smaller than its larger ‘white’ relative, is more solitary and elusive, and has a shorter head and beak-shaped lip that it uses for browsing leaves and twigs. Regarded as a more dangerous animal than the white rhino because of its volatile temperament, it is now one of the most endangered animals in Africa. The Leopard The Leopard The one animal everybody wants to see – beautiful, charismatic, sexy and dramatic – and also the most elusive. The leopard is a solitary animal (unless mating, or a mother with cubs) and will, whether male or female, fiercely defend its own hunting territory from other leopards. Considered to be one of the most successful, if not the most successful, of all African predators, the leopard is a master stalker. If you are lucky, particularly on a night drive (as leopards are nocturnal animals), you may see a leopard stalking its prey – silently, ruthlessly – before getting to within 5m of the prey and then launching itself with a powerful spring. Surprise is its chief means of attack. Leopards often athletically drag their prey up into trees (sometimes the dead animal is as heavy as the leopard) to avoid having it pirated by other animals, particularly lions and hyenas. Look out for thick overhanging branches of big old trees – you may well find a leopard snoozing there during the hottest part of the day, or snacking on its prey. Leopards take great pains to advertise their territories by scent marking, scraping the ground and defecating in exposed spots. They try to avoid confrontation with other leopards (unless protecting their territory) because, as solitary hunters, they can’t afford to get injured. Leopards make great mothers and take excellent care of their offspring, moving them from one place of safety to another when the cubs are very small – just as well, because young cubs are vulnerable to other leopards, lions, hyenas and wild dogs. Take a look at the black markings behind the ears and white tip of a mother’s long tail – these are signals for small cubs to follow. That long tail is also used as a rudder for balance when the leopard is climbing a tree or hunting. A leopard also has long whiskers that it uses as antennae to judge spaces between bushes and trees – an essential tool for an animal that hunts at night. What are Africa’s Big Five? Black rhinoceroses stand in the savanna in Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. There are fewer than 6,000 black rhinos left in the wild, though their population is on the rise. Photograph by Frans Lanting, Nat Geo Image Collection What are Africa’s Big Five? Meet the continent’s most iconic wildlife Once mostly targeted by hunters, these large species are “awe-inspiring” sights for safari-goers. ByLiz Langley July 26, 2019 •5 min read If you’ve gone on an African safari , chances are you’ve heard of the Big Five, the must-see list of iconic megafauna. Lions , leopards, elephants , African buffalo , and rhinoceroses are “what people think of when they think of Africa and wildlife,” says Natalia Borrego , a research associate at the University of Minnesota Lion Center. The term, coined in the late 1800s during Africa’s colonial period , refers to what trophy hunters considered the most challenging and dangerous animals to hunt on foot. These animals are still hunted today , but a shift toward tourism has also made seeing the Big Five an “awe-inspiring” goal for any safari-goer, Borrego says. 1:05 Africa’s Big Five Animals: What Are They?For a continent that is known for its amazing wildlife, these are the biggest of the big. These magnificent beasts are Africa's "big five." Learn photo tips for heading on safari in Botswana That’s especially true because all of these species are decreasing in population—lions in particular are struggling, having lost 94 percent of their original habitat . Only about 20,000 of the big cats remain in the wild. Here’s are some fascinating facts about the Big Five. Leopard This is the most elusive, and also the smallest, of the five. “I call them ninja cats because they’re just sneaky and they’re harder to spot,” Borrego says. Speaking of spots, most leopards are light-colored, with distinctive dark spots that are called rosettes. Black leopards, which appear to be almost solid in color because their spots are hard to distinguish, are commonly called black panthers . The solitary big cats haul large kills, such as zebra or antelope, into a tree to eat alone, in peace. There’s another reason for leopards to stay aloft: They don’t exactly get along with their fellow Big Fiver, the African lion. If a lion has a chance to kill a leopard, it will. (Related: “A lioness killing a leopard floored these filmmakers .”) African lion Lions are the only social big cat, but don’t expect to see the king. There isn’t one. These big cats are “not born into a rank,” Borrego says. “They are egalitarian, which means they don’t have a permanent social hierarchy.” One male may be dominant over the others, but that can change at any time. Lion society is also matrilineal, “so the females hold the territories,” and stay with the pride into which they’re born. (Related story: “In real life, Simba’s mom would be running the pride .”) African buffalo These hefty, cow-like animals often congregate by the thousands in the Serengeti; forming large groups is one defense against predators. Male and female buffalo both have horns, but the males’ curve upward and fuse together in the center, forming a solid bony plate called a boss. It’s a helpful defense—as is being more than three times heavier than their lion adversaries. That’s why a lion that attacks a buffalo is taking a huge risk of dying. Buffalo can be aggressive, and frequently come into conflict with humans outside of protected areas. African elephant The biggest of the Big Five is the African savanna elephant, which can weigh up to seven tons. The African forest elephant, which is about three feet shorter and lives in the forests of the Congo Basin, was declared a separate species after genetic testing in 2010 showed big differences between the forest and savanna dwellers. Savanna elephants are large enough to change the landscape , pulling up trees to make grasslands, dispersing seeds, and overall increasing biodiversity. Long sought after by poachers, elephants have a fragmented range throughout central and southern Africa . Rhinoceroses There are two species—the black rhinoceros and the white rhinoceros—and five subspecies between them left in Africa. Those include the northern white rhino, the southern white rhino, the eastern black rhino, the southern central black rhino, and the southwestern black rhino. All are huge, with a top weight of 5,000 pounds and horns that can grow up to five feet long. Due largely to poaching for their horns , the western black rhino was declared extinct in 2011 . The last male northern white rhino died in 2018 , with only two females remaining—making that subspecies functionally extinct. (Learn about the different types of extinction .) About 20,000 southern white rhinos remain, mostly in southern Africa. Conservation efforts have helped increase the population of the smaller, critically endangered black rhino , found mainly in East and southern Africa. Other Fives Africa is incredibly rich in wildlife, which is why several other “fives” have popped up over the years, such as the Little Five —including the leopard tortoise and the elephant shrew—the Shy Five , and the Ugly Five , which, to say the least, is a bit subjective. (Read why people find “ugly” animals cute .) BACK TO TOP

AFRIKAANER BOERE VOORTREKKERS The Afrikaner, Boer, and Voortrekkers are all groups of people from South Africa with unique histories and cultures. The Afrikaner are descendants of Dutch, German, and French settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century. The Boer are descendants of Afrikaner farmers who migrated inland during the 19th century. The Voortrekkers were a group of Boer pioneers who embarked on a mass migration known as the Great Trek in the 1830s. DIE AFRIKAANER Afrikaners (Afrikaans: are a Southern African ethnic group descended from predominantly Dutch settlers first arriving at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. Until 1994, they dominated South Africa's politics as well as the country's commercial agricultural sector.[ Afrikaners make up approximately 5.2% of the total South African population, based upon the number of White South Africans who speak Afrikaans as a first language in the South African National Census of 2011. Afrikaans , South Africa's third most widely spoken home language, evolved as the mother tongue of Afrikaners and most Cape Coloureds. Afrikaans as a formal language originated from the Dutch vernacular of South Holland,incorporating numerous terms and words brought from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and Madagascar by slaves. The arrival of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama at Calicut, India, in 1498 opened a gateway of free access to Asia from Western Europe around the Cape of Good Hope; however, it also necessitated the founding and safeguarding of trade stations in the East. The Portuguese landed in Mossel Bay in 1500, explored Table Bay two years later, and by 1510 had started raiding inland. Shortly afterwards, the Dutch Republic sent merchant vessels to India and, in 1602, founded the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie; VOC). As the volume of traffic rounding the Cape increased, the VOC recognised its natural harbour as an ideal watering point for the long voyage around Africa to the Orient and established a victualling station there in 1652. VOC officials did not favour the permanent settlement of Europeans in their trading empire, although during the 140 years of Dutch rule many VOC servants retired or were discharged and remained as private citizens. Furthermore, the exigencies of supplying local garrisons and passing fleets compelled the administration to confer free status on employees and oblige them to become independent farmers. Encouraged by the success of this experiment, the company extended free passage from 1685 to 1707 for Dutch families wishing to settle at the Cape. In 1688, it sponsored the settlement of 200 French Huguenot refugees forced into exile by the Edict of Fontainebleau. The terms under which the Huguenots agreed to immigrate were the same as those offered to other VOC subjects, including free passage and the requisite farm equipment on credit. Prior attempts at cultivating vineyards or exploiting olive groves for fruit had been unsuccessful, and it was hoped that Huguenot colonists accustomed to Mediterranean agriculture could succeed where the Dutch had failed. They were augmented by VOC soldiers returning from Asia, predominantly Germans channeled into Amsterdam by the company's extensive recruitment network and thence overseas. Despite their diverse nationalities, the colonists used a common language and adopted similar attitudes towards politics. The attributes they shared served as a basis for the evolution of Afrikaner identity and consciousness. In the twentieth century, Afrikaner nationalism took the form of political parties and closed societies, such as the Broederbond. In 1914, the National Party was founded to promote Afrikaner interests.[9] It gained power by winning South Africa's 1948 general elections. The party was noted for implementing a harsh policy of racial segregation (apartheid) and declaring South Africa a republic in 1961. Following decades of domestic unrest and international sanctions that resulted in bilateral and multi-party negotiations to end apartheid, South Africa held its first multiracial elections under a universal franchise in 1994. As a result of this election the National Party was ousted from power, and was eventually dissolved in 2005. Nomenclature The term "Afrikaner" (formerly sometimes in the forms Afrikaander or Afrikaaner, from the Dutch Africaander currently denotes the politically, culturally, and socially dominant and majority group need quotation to verify] among white South Africans, or the Afrikaans-speaking population of Dutch origin. Their original progenitors, especially in paternal lines, also included smaller numbers of Flemish, French Huguenot, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swiss, and Swedish immigrants. Historically, the terms "burgher" and "Boer" have both been used to describe white Afrikaans-speakers as a group; neither is particularly objectionable, but "Afrikaner" has been considered a more appropriate term. By the late nineteenth century, the term was in common usage in both the Boer republics and the Cape Colony. At one time, burghers denoted Cape Dutch: those settlers who were influential in the administration, able to participate in urban affairs, and did so regularly. Boers often refer to settled ethnic European farmers or nomadic cattleherders. During the Batavian Republic of 1795–1806, burgher ('citizen') was popularised[by whom?] among Dutch communities both at home and abroad as a popular revolutionary form of address. In South Africa, it remained in use as late as the Second Boer War of 1899–1902. The first recorded instance of a colonist identifying as an Afrikaner occurred in March 1707, during a disturbance in Stellenbosch. When the magistrate, Johannes Starrenburg, ordered an unruly crowd to desist, a young white man named Hendrik Biebouw retorted, "Ik wil niet loopen, ik ben een Afrikaander – al slaat de landdrost mij dood, of al zetten hij mij in de tronk, ik zal, nog wil niet zwijgen!" ("I will not leave, I am an African – even if the magistrate were to beat me to death or put me in jail, I shall not be, nor will I stay, silent!"). Biebouw was flogged for his insolence and later banished to Batavia[   (present-day Jakarta, Indonesia). The word Afrikaner is thought to have first been used to classify Cape Coloureds, or other groups of mixed-race ancestry. Biebouw had numerous "half-caste" (mixed race) siblings and may have identified with Coloureds socially. The growing use of the term appeared to express the rise of a new identity for white South Africans, suggesting for the first time a group identification with the Cape Colony rather than with an ancestral homeland in Europe. Afrikaner culture and people are also commonly referred to as the Afrikaans or Afrikaans people. For the years 1985–2011, the census statistics show the number of Afrikaans-speaking whites. Considering that there could be a significant number of English-speaking Afrikaners (especially after 2001), the numbers could be higher. VOC initially had no intention of establishing a permanent European settlement at the Cape of Good Hope ; until 1657, it devoted as little attention as possible to the development or administration of the Dutch Cape Colony . From the VOC's perspective, there was little financial incentive to regard the region as anything more than the site of a strategic manufacturing centre. Furthermore, the Cape was unpopular among VOC employees, who regarded it as a barren and insignificant outpost with little opportunity for advancement. A small number of longtime VOC employees who had been instrumental in the colony's founding and its first five years of existence, however, expressed interest in applying for grants of land with the objective of retiring at the Cape as farmers. In time, they came to form a class of former VOC employees, vrijlieden, also known as vrijburgers (free citizens," who stayed in Dutch territories overseas after serving their contracts. The vrijburgers were to be of Dutch birth (although exceptions were made for some Germans), married, "of good character", and had to undertake to spend at least twenty years in Southern Africa. In March 1657, when the first vrijburgers started receiving their farms, the white population of the Cape was only about Although the soil and climate in Cape Town were suitable for farming, willing immigrants remained in short supply, including a number of orphans, refugees, and foreigners. From 1688 onward, the Cape attracted some French Huguenots, most of them refugees from the protracted conflict between Protestants and Catholics in France. South Africa's white population in 1691 has been described as the Afrikaner "parent stock", as no significant effort was made to secure more colonist families after the dawn of the 18th century,[9] and a majority of Afrikaners are descended from progenitors who arrived prior to 1700 in general and the late 1600s in particular. Although some two-thirds of this figure were Dutch-speaking Hollanders, there were at least 150 Huguenots and a nearly equal number of Low German speakers. Also represented in smaller numbers were Swedes, Danes, and Belgians DIE BOER Boers Afrikaans : Boere ([ˈbuːrə] ) are the descendants of the proto Afrikaans -speaking Free Burghers of the eastern Cape frontier[2] in Southern Africa during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. From 1652 to 1795, the Dutch East India Company controlled Dutch Cape Colony , but the United Kingdom incorporated it into the British Empire in 1806. The name of the group is derived from Trekboer then later "boer", which means "farmer" in Dutch and Afrikaans. In addition, the term Boeren also applied to those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to colonise in the Orange Free State , Transvaal (together known as the Boer Republics ), and to a lesser extent Natal . They emigrated from the Cape to live beyond the reach of the British colonial administration, with their reasons for doing so primarily being the new Anglophone common law system being introduced into the Cape and the British abolition of slavery in 1833. The term Afrikaners or Afrikaans people is generally used in modern-day South Africa for the white Afrikaans-speaking population of South Africa (the largest group of White South Africans ) encompassing the descendants of both the Boers, and the Cape Dutch who did not embark on the Great Trek . Origin European colonists Flag of the Dutch East India Company The Dutch East India Company (Dutch : Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie; VOC) was formed in the Dutch Republic in 1602, and at this time the Dutch had entered the competition for the colonial and imperial trade of commerce in Southeast Asia. The end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648 saw European soldiers and refugees widely dispersed across Europe. Immigrants from Germany, Scandinavia, and Switzerland traveled to the Netherlands in the hope of finding employment with the VOC. During the same year, one of their ships was stranded in Table Bay near what would eventually become Cape Town , and the shipwrecked crew had to forage for themselves on shore for several months. They were so impressed with the natural resources of the country that on their return to the Republic, they represented to the VOC directors the great advantages to be had for the Dutch Eastern trade from a properly provided and fortified station at the Cape. As a result, the VOC sent a Dutch expedition in 1652 led by Jan van Riebeek , who constructed a fort and laid out vegetable gardens at Table Bay and took control over Cape Town, which he governed for a decade. Free Burghers Main article: Free Burghers VOC favoured the idea of freemen at the Cape and many workers of VOC requested to be discharged in order to become free burghers. As a result Jan van Riebeeck approved the notion on favourable conditions and earmarked two areas near the Liesbeek River for farming purposes in 1657. The two areas which were allocated to the freemen, for agricultural purposes, were named Groeneveld and Dutch Garden. These areas were separated by the Amstel River (Liesbeek River). Nine of the best applicants were selected to use the land for agricultural purposes. The freemen or free burghers as they were afterwards termed, thus became subjects of VOC and were no longer its servants. In 1671, the Dutch first purchased land from the indigenous Khoikhoi beyond the limits of the fort built by Van Riebeek; this marked the development of the Colony proper . As the result of the investigations of a 1685 commissioner, the government worked to recruit a greater variety of immigrants to develop a stable community. They formed part of the class of vrijlieden, also known as vrijburgers ('free citizens'), former VOC employees who remained at the Cape after serving their contracts.[10] A large number of vrijburgers became independent farmers and applied for grants of land, as well as loans of seed and tools, from VOC administration. Dutch free immigrants VOC authorities had been endeavouring to induce gardeners and small farmers to emigrate from Europe to South Africa, but with little success. They were only able to attract a few families through tales of wealth, but the Cape had little charm in comparison. In October 1670, however, the Chamber of Amsterdam announced that a few families were willing to leave for the Cape and Mauritius during the following December. Among the new names of burghers at this time are Jacob and Dirk van Niekerk, Johannes van As, Francois Villion, Jacob Brouwer, Jan van Eden, Hermanus Potgieter, Albertus Gildenhuis, and Jacobus van den Berg. French Huguenots During 1688–1689, the colony was greatly strengthened by the arrival of nearly two hundred French Huguenots , who were political refugees from the religious wars in France following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes . They joined colonies at Stellenbosch , Drakenstein , Franschhoek and Paarl . The influence of the Huguenots on the character of the colonists was marked, leading to the VOC directing in 1701 that only Dutch should be taught in schools. This resulted in the Huguenots assimilating by the middle of the 18th century, with a loss in the use and knowledge of French . The colony gradually spread eastwards, and in 1754 land as far as Algoa Bay was included in the colony. At this time the European colonists numbered eight to ten thousand. They possessed numerous slaves, grew wheat in sufficient quantity to make it a commodity crop for export, and were famed for the good quality of their wines . But their chief wealth was in cattle. They enjoyed considerable prosperity. Through the latter half of the 17th and the whole of the 18th century, troubles arose between the colonists and the government as the VOC administration was despotic . Its policies were not directed at development of the colony, but to using it to profit the VOC. VOC closed the colony against free immigration, kept the whole of the trade in its own hands, combined the administrative, legislative and judicial powers in one body, prescribed to the farmers the nature of the crops they were to grow, demanded a large part of their produce as a kind of tax, and made other exactions. Trekboers Main article: Trekboers This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message ) From time to time, indentured VOC servants were endowed with the right of freeburghers but the VOC retained the power to compel them to return into its service whenever they deemed it necessary. This right to force into servitude those who might incur the displeasure of the governor or other high officers was not only exercised with reference to the individuals themselves; it was claimed by the government to be applicable to their children as well. The tyranny caused many to feel desperate and to flee from oppression, even before 1700 trekking began. In 1780, Joachim van Plettenberg , the governor, proclaimed the Sneeuberge to be the northern boundary of the colony, expressing "the anxious hope that no more extension should take place, and with heavy penalties forbidding the rambling peasants to wander beyond". In 1789, so strong had feelings amongst the burghers become that delegates were sent from the Cape to interview the authorities at Amsterdam . After this deputation, some nominal reforms were granted. Descending from the Sneeuberge, a scene near Graaff-Reinet , by Burchell Passing Cradock Pass, Outeniqua Mountains , by Charles Collier Michell An aquatint by Samuel Daniell of Trekboers making camp Trekboers crossing the Karoo by Charles Davidson Bell It was largely to escape oppression that the farmers trekked farther and farther from the seat of government. VOC, to control the emigrants, established a magistracy at Swellendam in 1745 and another at Graaff Reinet in 1786. The Gamtoos River had been declared, c. 1740, the eastern frontier of the colony but it was soon passed. In 1780, however, the Dutch, to avoid collision with the Bantu peoples , agreed with them to make the Great Fish River the common boundary. In 1795 the heavily taxed burghers of the frontier districts, who were afforded no protection against the Bantus, expelled the VOC officials, and set up independent governments at Swellendam and Graaff Reinet. The trekboers of the 19th century were the lineal descendants of the trekboers of the 18th century. The end of the 19th century saw a revival of the same tyrannical monopolist policy as that in the VOC government in the Transvaal . If the formula, "In all things political, purely despotic; in all things commercial, purely monopolist", was true of the VOC government in the 18th century, it was equally true of Kruger 's government in the latter part of the 19th. The underlying fact which made the trek possible is that the Dutch-descended colonists in the eastern and northeastern parts of the colony were not cultivators of the soil, but of purely pastoral and nomadic habits, ever ready to seek new pastures for their flocks and herds, possessing no special affection for any particular locality. These people, thinly scattered over a wide territory, had lived for so long with little restraint from the law that when, in 1815, by the institution of "Commissions of Circuit", justice was brought nearer to their homes, various offences were brought to light, the remedying of which caused much resentment. The Dutch-descended colonists in the eastern and northeastern parts of the colony, as a result of the Great Trek , had removed themselves from governmental rule and become widely spread out. However, the institution of "Commissions of Circuit" in 1815 allowed the prosecution of crimes, with offences committed by the trekboers—notably including many against people they had enslaved—seeing justice. These prosecutions were very unpopular amongst the trekkers and were seen as interfering with their rights over the enslaved people they viewed as their property. A map of the expansion of the Trekboers (1700–1800) Evolution of the Dutch Cape Colony (1700–1800) Administrative divisions of the Dutch Cape Colony Invasion of the Cape Colony Main article: Invasion of the Cape Colony The Invasion of the Cape Colony was a British military expedition launched in 1795 against the Dutch Cape Colony at the Cape of Good Hope . The Netherlands had fallen under the revolutionary government of France and a British force under General Sir James Henry Craig was sent to Cape Town to secure the colony from the French for the Prince of Orange , a refugee in England. The governor of Cape Town at first refused to obey the instructions from the Prince, but when the British proceeded to land troops to take possession anyway, he capitulated. His action was hastened by the fact that the Khoikhoi, escaping from their former enslavers, flocked to the British standard. The burghers of Graaff Reinet did not surrender until a force had been sent against them; in 1799 and again in 1801 they rose in revolt. In February 1803, as a result of the peace of Amiens (February 1803), the colony was handed over to the Batavian Republic which introduced many reforms, as had the British during their eight years' rule. One of the first acts of General Craig had been to abolish torture in the administration of justice. The country still remained essentially Dutch, and few British citizens were attracted to it. Its cost to the British exchequer during this period was £ 16,000,000. The Batavian Republic entertained very liberal views as to the administration of the country, but had little opportunity to enact them. When the War of the Third Coalition broke out in 1803, a British force was once again sent to the Cape. After an engagement (January 1806) on the shores of Table Bay, the Dutch garrison of Castle of Good Hope surrendered to the British under Sir David Baird , and in the 1814 Anglo-Dutch treaty the colony was ceded outright by The Netherlands to the British crown . At that time the colony extended to the line of mountains guarding the vast central plateau, then called Bushmansland (after a name for the San people ), and had an area of about 120,000 sq. m. and a population of some 60,000, of whom 27,000 were whites, 17,000 free Khoikhoi and the rest enslaved people, mostly non-indigenous blacks and Malays. Dislike of British rule Although the colony was fairly prosperous, many of the Dutch farmers were as dissatisfied with British rule as they had been with that of the VOC, though their grounds for complaint were not the same. In 1792, Moravian missions had been established which targeted the Khoikhoi, and in 1799 the London Missionary Society began work among both Khoikhoi and Bantu peoples. The missionaries' championing of Khoikhoi grievances caused much dissatisfaction among the majority of the Dutch colonists, whose views temporarily prevailed, for in 1812 an ordinance was issued which empowered magistrates to bind Khoikhoi children as apprentices under conditions which differed little from slavery . Simultaneously, the movement for the abolition of slavery was gaining strength in England, and the missionaries appealed from the colonists to the mother country. Slachter's Nek A farmer named Frederick Bezuidenhout refused to obey a summons issued on the complaint of a Khoikhoi, and, firing on the party sent to arrest him, was killed by the return fire. This caused a small rebellion in 1815, known as Slachters Nek , described as "the most insane attempt ever made by a set of men to wage war against their sovereign" by Henry Cloete. Upon its suppression, five ringleaders were publicly hanged at the spot where they had sworn to expel "the English tyrants". The feeling caused by the hanging of these men was deepened by the circumstances of the execution, as the scaffold on which the rebels were simultaneously hanged broke down from their united weight and the men were afterwards hanged one by one. An ordinance was passed in 1827, abolishing the old Dutch courts of landdrost and heemraden (resident magistrates being substituted) and establishing that henceforth all legal proceedings should be conducted in English. The granting in 1828, as a result of the representations of the missionaries, of equal rights with whites to the Khoikhoi and other free coloured people, the imposition (1830) of heavy penalties for harsh treatment of enslaved people, and finally the emancipation of the enslaved people in 1834, were measures which combined to aggravate the farmers' dislike of government. Moreover, what these enslavers viewed as the inadequate compensation for the freeing of the enslaved people, and the suspicions engendered by the method of payment, caused much resentment; and in 1835 the farmers again removed themselves to unknown country to escape the government. While emigration beyond the colonial border had been continuous for 150 years, it now took on larger proportions. Cape Frontier Wars (1779–1879) Main article: Xhosa Wars Map of the Cape Colony in 1809, early British rule The migration of the trekboers from the Cape Colony into the Eastern Cape parts of South Africa, where the native Xhosa people had established settlements, gave rise to a series of conflicts between the Boers and the Xhosas. In 1775 the Cape government established a boundary between the trekboers and the Xhosas at the Bushmans and Upper Fish Rivers. The Boers and Xhosas ignored the boundary, with both groups establishing homes on either side of the frontier. Governor van Plettenberg attempted to persuade both groups to respect the boundary line without success. The Xhosas were accused of stealing cattle and in 1779 a series of skirmishes erupted along the border which initiated the 1st Frontier War. The frontier remained unstable, resulting in the outbreak of the 2nd Frontier War in 1789. Raids carried out by Boers and Xhosas on both sides of the boundary caused much friction in the area which resulted in several groups being drawn into the conflict. In 1795, the British invasion of the Cape Colony resulted in a change of government. After the government takeover the British began to draw up policies with regards to the frontier resulting in a Boer rebellion in Graaff-Reinet . The policies caused the Khoisan tribes to join some Xhosa chiefs in attacks against British forces during the 3rd Frontier War (1799–1803): Peace was restored to the area when the British, under the Treaty of Amiens , returned the Cape Colony to the Dutch Batavian Republic in 1803. In January 1806 during a second invasion, the British reoccupied the colony after the Battle of Blaauwberg . Tensions in the Zuurveld led the colonial administration and Boer colonists to expel many of the Xhosa tribes from the area, initiating the 4th Frontier War in 1811. Conflicts between the Xhosas on the frontier led to the 5th Frontier War in 1819.[14] The Xhosas, due to dissatisfaction with vacillating government policies regarding where they were permitted to live, undertook large-scale cattle thefts on the frontier. The Cape government responded with several military expeditions. In 1834 a large Xhosa force moved into the Cape territory, which began the 6th Frontier War. Additional fortifications were built by the government and mounted patrols were not well received by the Xhosas, who continued with raids on farms during the 7th Frontier War (1846–1847). The 8th (1850–1853) and 9th Frontier Wars (1877–1878) continued at the same pace as their predecessors. Eventually the Xhosas were defeated and the territories were brought under British control. Great Trek Main article: Great Trek A map charting the routes of the largest trekking parties during the first wave of the Great Trek (1835–1840) along with key battles and events. The Great Trek occurred between 1835 and the early 1840s. During that period some 12,000 to 14,000 Boers (including women and children), impatient with British rule, emigrated from Cape Colony into the great plains beyond the Orange River , and across them again into Natal and the vastness of the Zoutspansberg , in the northern part of the Transvaal. Those Trekboers who occupied the eastern Cape were semi-nomadic. A significant number in the eastern Cape frontier later became Grensboere ('border farmers') who were the direct ancestors of the Voortrekkers . The Boers addressed several correspondence to the British Colonial Government before leaving the Cape Colony as reasons for their departure. Piet Retief , one of the leaders of the Boers during the time, addressed a letter to the government on 22 January 1837 in Grahamstown stating that the Boers did not see any prospect for peace or happiness for their children in a country with such internal commotions. Retief further complained about the severe financial losses which they felt had resulted from the laws of the British administration. While there was financial compensation for the freeing of the people they had enslaved, the Boers found it to be inadequate. They also felt that the English church system was incompatible with the Dutch Reformed Church . By this time the Boers had already formed a separate code of laws in preparation for the great trek and were aware of the dangerous territory they were about to enter. Retief concluded his letter with "We quit this colony under the full assurance that the English Government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us to govern ourselves without its interference in future: Anglo-Boer wars Main articles: First Boer War and Second Boer War Boer family traveling by covered wagon circa 1900 Following the British annexation of the Transvaal in 1877, Paul Kruger was a key figure in organizing a Boer resistance which led to expulsion of the British from the Transvaal. The Boers then fought the Second Boer War in the late 19th and early 20th century against the British in order to ensure the republics of the Transvaal (the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek ) and the Orange Free State , remaining independent, ultimately capitulating in 1902.[16] Boer War diaspora See also: Boer War diaspora After the Second Boer War, a Boer diaspora occurred. Starting in 1903, the largest group emigrated to the Patagonia region of Argentina and to Brazil . Another group emigrated to British colony of Kenya , from where most returned to South Africa during the 1930s, while a third group under the leadership of General Ben Viljoen emigrated to Mexico and to New Mexico and Texas in the southwestern United States. 1914 Boer Revolt Main article: Maritz Rebellion The Maritz Rebellion (also known as the Boer Revolt, the Five Shilling Rebellion or the Third Boer War) occurred in 1914 at the start of World War I , in which men who supported the re-creation of the Boer republics rose up against the government of the Union of South Africa because they did not want to side with the British against the German Empire so soon after the war with the British. Many Boers had German ancestry and many members of the government were themselves former Boer military leaders who had fought with the Maritz rebels against the British in the Second Boer War. The rebellion was put down by Louis Botha and Jan Smuts , and the ringleaders received heavy fines and terms of imprisonment. One, Jopie Fourie , an officer in the Union Defence Force , was convicted for treason when he refused to take up arms alongside the British, and was executed by the South African government in 1914. Characteristics Language Main article: Afrikaans Afrikaans is a West Germanic language spoken widely in South Africa and Namibia , and to a lesser extent in Botswana and Zimbabwe . It evolved from the Dutch vernacular of South Holland (Hollandic dialect) spoken by the mainly Dutch colonists of what is now South Africa, where it gradually began to develop distinguishing characteristics in the course of the 18th century.Hence, it is a daughter language of Dutch, and was previously referred to as Cape Dutch (also used to refer collectively to the early Cape colonists ) or kitchen Dutch (a derogatory term used in its earlier days). However, it is also variously (although incorrectly) described as a creole or as a partially creolised language. The term is ultimately derived from Dutch Afrikaans-Hollands meaning African Dutch. Culture Painting depicting the Bullock wagons moving over the billowy plains, 2 January 1860 The desire to wander, known as trekgees, was a notable characteristic of the Boers. It figured prominently in the late 17th century when the Trekboers began to inhabit the northern and eastern Cape frontiers, again during the Great Trek when the Voortrekkers left the eastern Cape en masse, and after the major republics were established during the Thirstland ('Dorsland') Trek. One such trekker described the impetus for emigrating as, "a drifting spirit was in our hearts, and we ourselves could not understand it. We just sold our farms and set out northwestwards to find a new home". A rustic characteristic and tradition was developed quite early on as Boer society was born on the frontiers of white colonisation and on the outskirts of Western civilisation. The Boer quest for independence manifested in a tradition of declaring republics, which predates the arrival of the British; when the British arrived, Boer republics had already been declared and were in rebellion from the VOC. Beliefs The Boers of the frontier were known for their independent spirit, resourcefulness, hardiness, and self-sufficiency, whose political notions verged on anarchy but had begun to be influenced by republicanism: The Boers had cut their ties to Europe as they emerged from the Trekboer group.[24] The Boers possessed a distinct Protestant culture , and the majority of Boers and their descendants were members of a Reformed Church . The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk ('Dutch Reformed Church') was the national Church of the South African Republic (1852–1902). The Orange Free State (1854–1902) was named after the Protestant House of Orange in the Netherlands . The Calvinist influence, in such fundamental Calvinist doctrines such as unconditional predestination and divine providence , remains present in a minority of Boer culture, who see their role in society as abiding by the national laws and accepting calamity and hardship as part of their Christian duty. Many Boers have since converted denominations and are now members of Baptist , Charismatic , Pentecostal or Lutheran Churches . Modern usage During recent times, mainly during the apartheid reform and post-1994 eras, some white Afrikaans -speaking people, mainly with conservative political views, and of Trekboer and Voortrekker descent, have chosen to be called Boere, rather than Afrikaners, to distinguish their identity.[25] They believe that many people of Voortrekker descent were not assimilated into what they see as the Cape -based Afrikaner identity. They suggest that this developed after the Second Anglo-Boer War and the subsequent establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Some Boer nationalists have asserted that they do not identify as a right-wing element of the political spectrum.[26] They contend that the Boers of the South African Republic and Orange Free State republics were recognised as a separate people or cultural group under international law by the Sand River Convention (which created the South African Republic in 1852),[27] the Bloemfontein Convention (which created the Orange Free State Republic in 1854), the Pretoria Convention (which re-established the independence of the South African Republic 1881), the London Convention (which granted the full independence to the South African Republic in 1884), and the Vereeniging Peace Treaty, which formally ended the Second Anglo-Boer War on 31 May 1902. Others contend, however, that these treaties dealt only with agreements between governmental entities and do not imply the recognition of a Boer cultural identity per se. The supporters of these views feel that the Afrikaner label was used from the 1930s onwards as a means of politically unifying the white Afrikaans speakers of the Western Cape with those of Trekboer and Voortrekker descent in the north of South Africa, where the Boer Republics were established. Since the Anglo-Boer war, the term Boerevolk ('farmer people') was rarely used in the 20th century by the various regimes because of the effort to assimilate the Boerevolk with the Afrikaners. A portion of those who are the descendants of the Boerevolk have reasserted use of this designation. The supporters of the Boer designation view the term Afrikaner as an artificial political label which usurped their history and culture, turning Boer achievements into Afrikaner achievements. They feel that the Western-Cape based Afrikaners – whose ancestors did not trek eastwards or northwards – took advantage of the republican Boers' destitution following the Anglo-Boer War. At that time, the Afrikaners attempted to assimilate the Boers into the new politically-based cultural label In contemporary South Africa, Boer and Afrikaner have often been used interchangeably. The Boers are the smaller segment within the Afrikaner designation, as the Afrikaners of Cape Dutch origin are more numerous. Afrikaner directly translated means African, and thus refers to all Afrikaans-speaking people in Africa who have their origins in the Cape Colony founded by Jan Van Riebeeck. Boer is a specific group within the larger Afrikaans-speaking population. During apartheid, Boer was used by opponents of apartheid in various contexts, referring to institutional structures such as the National Party, or to specific groups of people, such as members of the Police Force (colloquially known as Boere) and Army, Afrikaners, or white South Africans generally. This usage is often viewed as pejorative in contemporary South Africa. Politics Boere-Vryheidsbeweging Boerestaat Party Freedom Front Plus Front National Herstigte Nasionale Party National Conservative Party of South Africa Education The Movement for Christian-National Education is a federation of 47 Calvinist private schools, primarily in the Free State and the Transvaal, committed to educating Boer children from grade 0 through to 12. Media Some local radio stations promote the ideals of those who identify with the Boer people, like Radio Rosestad 100.6 FM (in Bloemfontein), Overvaal Stereo and Radio Pretoria . An internet-based radio station, Boerevolk Radio , promotes Boer separatism. Territories See also: Volkstaat Territorial areas in the form of a Boerestaat ('Boer State') are being developed as colonies exclusively for Boers/Afrikaners, notably Orania in the Northern Cape and Kleinfontein near Pretoria . Notable Boers Voortrekker leaders Sarel Cilliers Andries Hendrik Potgieter Andries Pretorius Piet Retief Great trek Racheltjie de Beer Dirkie Uys Marthinus Jacobus Oosthuizen Participants in the Second Anglo-Boer War Koos de la Rey , general; regarded as being one of the great military leaders of the Second Anglo-Boer War Danie Theron , soldier Christiaan Rudolf de Wet , general Siener van Rensburg , considered a prophet by some Politicians Louis Botha , first prime minister of South Africa (1910–1919) and former Boer general Petrus Jacobus Joubert , general and cabinet member of the Transvaal Republic Paul Kruger , president of the Transvaal Republic Martinus Theunis Steyn , 6th State President of the Orange Free State Spies Robey Leibbrandt Fritz Joubert Duquesne , Boer captain known as the Black Panther who served in the Second Boer War In modern fiction The history of the Cape Colony and the Boers in South Africa is covered at length in the 1980 novel The Covenant by American author James A. Michener. See also Boerboel Boerehaat Boer goat Boer music Great Trek Natalia Republic Orange Free State South African farm attacks South African Republic Transvaal civil war Transvaal Colony Volkstaat Voortrekker DIE VOORTREKKER DIE VOORTREKKER The Voortrekkers were white Afrikaner farmers who emigrated from the British controlled Cape Colony into the erstwhile black-populated areas north of the Orange River in what is now South Africa 1 2 . They were also known as Boers 1 2 . The Voortrekkers left the Cape Colony during the 1830s and 1840s 1 3 . They migrated into the interior Highveld north of the Orange River. Voortrekker, any of the Boers (Dutch settlers or their descendants), or, as they came to be called in the 20th century, Afrikaners, who left the British Cape Colony in Southern Africa after 1834 and migrated into the interior Highveld north of the Orange River . During the next 20 years, they founded new communities in the Southern African interior that evolved into the colony of Natal and the independent Boer states of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (the Transvaal ). The “Voortrekkers” label is used for the Boers who participated in the organized migrations of systematic colonization—commonly referred to as the Great Trek —and as a term it is to be distinguished from “trekboers,” who were Boers who had moved into the interior prior to the mid-1830s but on an individual or temporary basis. Most Voortrekkers were farming families from the eastern frontier region of the Cape Colony, and their departure is associated with the war against the Xhosa of 1835 (see Cape Frontier Wars ), although the relationship is disputed. The Voortrekkers traditionally have been depicted by English historians as economically backward people who left the Cape Colony as a protest against aspects of British rule, especially the ban on holding slaves (implemented after 1834) and British reluctance to take further land from the Xhosa for white settlement. More recently it has been argued that the very power of the British and the easy victory over the Xhosa in 1835, as well as an increase in the settler population, enticed the Voortrekkers into the interior with the prospect of more land and easy conquests. In this view, the Voortrekker exodus was part of a highly dynamic global movement of European expansion. Trekboers Not to be confused with Voortrekkers or Boers . An aquatint by Samuel Daniell of Trekboers making camp. Depicted around 1804. The Trekboers (/ˈtrɛkbuːrs/ Afrikaans : Trekboere) were nomadic pastoralists descended from European colonists on the frontiers of the Dutch Cape Colony in Southern Africa . The Trekboers began migrating into the interior from the areas surrounding what is now Cape Town , such as Paarl (settled from 1688), Stellenbosch (founded in 1679), and Franschhoek (settled from 1688), during the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century. Origins The Trekboers were seminomadic pastoralists , subsistence farmers who began trekking both northwards and eastwards into the interior to find better pastures/farmlands for their livestock to graze, as well as to escape the autocratic rule of the Dutch East India Company (or VOC), which administered the Cape . They believed the VOC was tainted with corruption and not concerned with the interests of the free burghers , the social class of most of the Trekboers. Trekboers also traded with indigenous people. This meant their herds were of hardy local stock.They formed a vital link between the pool of animals in the interior and the providers of shipping provisions at the Cape. Trekboere were nomadic, living in their wagons and rarely remaining in one location for an extended period of time. A number of Trekboers settled in the eastern Cape, where their descendants became known as Grensboere (Border Farmers). Expansion Main articles: Great Trek and Dorsland Trek A map of the expansion of the Trekboers out of the Cape Colony between 1700 and 1800 Despite the VOC's attempts to prevent settler expansion beyond the western Cape, the frontier of the Colony remained open: the authorities in Cape Town lacked the means to police the Colony's borders.By the 1740s the Trekboers had entered the Little Karoo . By the 1760s they reached the deep interior of the Great Karoo . Independent republics Due to the collapse of the VOC (which went bankrupt in 1800) and inspired by the French Revolution (1789) and the American Revolution ,[citation needed ] groups of Boers rebelled against VOC rule. They set up independent republics in the town of Graaff-Reinet (1795), and four months later, in Swellendam (17 June 1795). A few months later, the newly established Batavian Republic nationalised the VOC (1 March 1796); the Netherlands came under the sway of the new post-revolution French government . The British , who captured Cape Town in September 1795 in the course of the French Revolutionary Wars and took over the administration of Cape Colony, increased the level of government oversight the Trekboers were subject to. Tensions between the Trekboers and the British colonial administration would culminate in the Slachter's Nek Rebellion of 1815, which was rapidly suppressed and the leaders of the rebellion executed. Eventually, due to a combination of dissatisfaction with the British administration, constant frontier wars with the Xhosa to the east, and growing shortages of land, the Trekboers eventually went on the Great Trek . Legacy Mixed-race "Afrikander" Trekboer nomads in the Cape Colony, ancestral to the Baster people. Numerous Trekboers settled down to become border farmers for a few generations and later voortrekkers . But many of the group continued well into the 19th century as an economic class of nomadic pastoralists. Many Trekboers crossed the Orange River decades before the Voortrekkers did. Voortrekkers often encountered Trekboers in Transorangia during their Great Trek of the 1830s and 1840s. In 1815, a Trekboer/trader named Coenraad (Du) Buys (a surname of French Huguenot origin) was accused of cattle theft and fled from the British. He settled in the (western) Transvaal . He allegedly contracted polygamous marriages with hundreds of indigenous women, with his descendants' populating the town of Buysplaas in the Gourits River valley. He continued having numerous wives after leaving the colony. Descendants of his second series of marriages still live in the small town of Buysdorp, near the mission station of Mara, 20 km to the west of Louis Trichardt in the modern Limpopo province. Buys eventually disappeared while traveling along the Limpopo River . By the late 17th century, both the Trekboers and the Voortrekkers were collectively called Boers . Language "Karoo Trekboer," by Charles Davidson Bell The Trekboers spoke a variety of Dutch which they called die taal (lit. 'the language'), which evolved into the modern-day dialect Eastern Border Afrikaans , also known as East Cape Afrikaans. The Afrikaans language as a whole generally originated from 17th- and 18th-century Dutch dialects. Over time it incorporated numerous words and expressions from French, German, Portuguese, Malay , Khoi , and later also English. Still, roughly 90% of the vocabulary is of Dutch origin and it is closer linguistically to Standard Dutch than many Dutch dialects. If Afrikaans had not been defined a separate language during the 20th century, its various dialects would have been considered dialects of Dutch. Section Subtitle BACK TO TOP

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. South African Animal Rehabilitation South African Animal Rehabilitation SOUTH AFRICA´S Animal Rehabilitation Centers To Protect The Wild Life In South Africa. Welcome to Delta Rain, we hope you will join us for an unforgettable African experience. We provide quality, exciting and affordable mobile and mokoro safaris in the Okavango delta, throughout Botswana and further through southern Africa. Delta Rain is based at our own camp 'Sitatunga' located close to Maun Botswana. Delta Rain Ltd was established in 1997 by owner operators who have a deep love of Africa. Together we have over thirty five years experience in African tourism. Based at Sitatunga camp on the outskirts of Maun, Botswana, we offer Mokoro excursions into the beautiful Okavango Delta and tented mobile safaris throughout Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. There are itineraries to suit all tastes, levels of comfort and budget. Alongside our standard departures we offer bespoke tours created for individuals or groups. A number of our itineraries are specifically for families. Whether your interests are wildlife or culture, birdlife or photographic contact us to design your mobile safari. http://www.deltarain.com/index.php MammalMAP WHAT IS MAMMALMAP? The aim of MammalMAP is to update the distribution records of all African mammal species. Through collaborations with professional scientists, conservation organisations, wildlife authorities and citizen scientists across Africa, we consolidate all reliable and identifiable evidence (camera trap records, photographs) of current mammal locations into an open-access digital database. The database software automatically generates online distribution maps of all recorded species which are instantly visible and searchable. The information consolidated within MammalMAP will not only yield crucial information for species conservation policies and landscape conservation policies, but provides an excellent platform for educating the public about African mammals and their conservation challenges. THE WHERE AND HOW: The area of interest for MammalMAP is the whole of Africa. To achieve this we collaborate with scientists, conservation organisations, wildlife authorities and citizen scientists across the continent. Our methods involve consolidating evidence of mammal occurrence in a given location (camera trap records, photographs and other reliable records) into a digital database hosted by the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) at the University of Cape Town. In time, we will use the records in the database to generate distribution maps for all recorded species, in the same way that the ADU has done for birds, reptiles, frogs and butterflies Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) The Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (CARE), located in Phalaborwa, South Africa, and established by Rita Miljo in 1989, is a wildlife rehabilitation facility dedicated to the care, welfare, rehabilitation and protection of injured and orphaned indigenous wild animals.The centre specializes in the care of Chacma baboons, actively pursuing their rescue, rehabilitation and release. The centre currently houses over 400 baboons and is the only facility in Southern Africa that accepts orphaned or abandoned baboons and offers them long term care. C.A.R.E. has pioneered many firsts in primate care, and its rehabilitation programme has gained respect within scientific and animal behavioral communities. C.A.R.E also has an incredible track record in successfully rehabilitating hand-reared animals and releasing fully formed troops back into the wild. Address PO Box 1937, Phalaborwa, South Africa Postcode 1390 Telephone +27 (15) 769 6251 E-mail info@primatecare.org.za Website http://www.causes.com/causes/629140-c-a-r-e-centre-for-animal-rehabilitation-and-education The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre - De Wildt The Centre was established in South Africa in 1971, in the past known as the De Wildt Cheetah Centre it has recently been changed to The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre as a tribute to the woman who has devoted her life to the survival of the cheetah species. Mission: To ensure the long term survival of the Cheetah, African Wild Dog and other wild animals in general. Today the Centre can look back with satisfaction on a job well done in ensuring the survival of Acinonyx jubatus - the cheetah, successfully breeding the king cheetah in captivity for the first time in the world. While the cheetah breeding project was the base from which Ann launched her conservation ethic, it soon widened to include other endangered animal species, such as the African wild dog, brown hyaena, servals, suni antelope, and riverine rabbits. Many of these projects such as the suni antelope and riverine rabbits once successfully running have been handed over to other institutions to continue with. The Centre is an NGO and funds generated from tours and the adoption programme are used to subsidise our conservation projects. Address P O Box 1756, Hartbeespoort, South Africa Postcode 0216 Telephone +27 12 504 1921 E-mail cheetah@dewildt.org.za Website http://www.dewildt.co.za/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312568-d578128-Reviews-The_Ann_van_Dyk_Cheetah_Centre-Gauteng.html Wildcare Africa The Wildcare Africa Trust was set up in 1986 by Karen Trendler. Since it's inception the Trust treated more than 70,000 cases at its small centre in Pretoria, with a further 50,000 treated in various locations internationally, and many more have been assisted through telephonic assistance. This advice has been given to game farmers, veterinarians and members of the public. Wildcare Africa unfortunately had to close down for personal reasons. All remaining animals have been seen through the rehabilitation process and have been released or placed in sanctuaries. The experiences and knowledge gained at Wildcare are being put to good use; founder and director Karen Trendler is now presenting training in all aspects of ex situ wildlife care and handling; assisting in policy and standards development. More information and updates are available on two blogsites: http://wildcareafrica.blogspot.com and http://wildlifewelfareethics.blogpost.com http://www.careforwild.co.za/ Address Pretoria, South Africa Telephone 0729694499 Website African Raptor Trust Situated 17 km from Pietermaritzburg on the east coast of South Africa, is the Predatory Bird Centre (PBC) of the African Raptor Trust.The PBC is a dedicated bird of prey facility, specializing in the captive breeding of Southern African raptors. The facility will assist, were possible, in any bona fide program or avian research that is beneficial to the long term conservation and survival of raptors. The centre also serves as a biological and genetic bank of southern African birds of prey. All birds that are utilized in the breeding programs are either captive bred or non releasable rehab birds. The centre has been operational for the past 5 years, and has grown from the original quarantine section of just five enclosures, to a facility with 36 enclosures. A further 12 enclosures are presently under construction.On Air Raptor Displays is the African Raptor Trust's education wing and their role is to introduce raptors, in all their magnificence, to the general public. People, both young and old, and from all walks of life come away with an appreciation of South Africa's fantastic diversity of raptor after witnessing the birds first-hand. Many sick or injured raptors are brought to the On Air raptor display centre simply because of the front-line bird of prey awareness and education work that is undertaken. For this reason On Air acts as a depo for these rescued birds and has a qualified member of staff to stabilize the raptor before sending it immediately to the African Raptor Trust's Raptor Rescue clinic.The African Bird of Prey Sanctuary does public free-flight shows/displays at 10:30 am, Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, with an additional 3pm show on weekends and public holidays. onair@africanraptor.co.za Website http://www.africanraptor.co.za/cms/index.php?page=aboutus_africanraptortrust Address Lion Park Road, Camperdown, KZN, South Africa State KZN E-mail Campaign against Canned Hunting Campaign Against Canned Hunting Inc, (CACH) was founded by Chris Mercer and Beverley Pervan. After years of campaigning using their own savings, they established a not-for-profit Section 21 company, which is dedicated to getting all trophy hunting banned in South Africa. BAN TROPHY HUNTING - The mission is to get all trophy hunting banned in South Africa, since all trophy hunting in South Africa is canned to a greater or lesser extent. To that end, The Campaign Against Canned Hunting has put together a comprehensive audio visual presentation which has been shown to thousands of people from all walks of life in S.A.,Kenya and U.K. The presentation, which includes video clips and slides, with narration, is widely published on the Internet. GET ACTIVE - New regulations and policies are analysed and critical comment is then published to the media and to animal welfare organisations. View critical comment on the new canned hunting regulations. There is also a list of government addresses to whom you can send letters of protest. ETHOS - For ethical tourists who wish to ensure their tourist dollars do not fall into the hands of persons involved in the hunting industry, we offer a certification service whereby eco-tourism resorts are audited to ensure that there is no direct or indirect involvement with hunting. Learn more about ETHOS. Or, tell us about resorts involved in animal abuse. WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - The Campaign Against Canned Hunting is raising funds to purchase land to establish a Wildlife Sanctuary and Chris and Bev are prepared to put in Rand for Rand with donors. Find out more about the sanctuary. PETITION - Help sign the online petition that has been created to solicit help from the caring public world wide. In due course, this will be printed out and presented to government. Address P.O. Box 356, Wilderness, South Africa Postcode 6560 E-mail info@cannedlion.co.za Website http://www.cannedlion.org/ Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT) The critically endangered White Lion has been naturally birthed in one place only on earth - the Timbavati region of South Africa. Its conservation value is paralleled only by its cultural value to indigenous communities of the region as a national symbol of unity, peace and hope. Many countries honour and protect 'sacred animals' by law: the 'Spirit Bear' of Canada, the 'Brahman Cattle' of India and the 'White Elephant' of Burma. Whilst the White Lion of the South Africa is not yet protected by law, concerted conservation efforts are underway to protect this rare national treasure on behalf of all South Africans - and indeed the world. Established in 2002 by world renowned author and conservationist, Linda Tucker, the Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT) is a South African based non-profit conservation and community development organisation. Operating in the greater Timbavati bush region, the WLT is responsible for protecting the White Lions and developing the related cultural values that hold them sacred. The WLT is accountable to its Trustees and a panel of global advisors with representatives from the South African Government, local and international conservation groupings and the South African business sector. The WLT campaigns for the protection of the critically endangered White Lion in its endemic wild habitat in the Timbavati at both provincial and national levels and is pursuing National - and indeed World - Heritage status for the White Lion site in the region. Address E-mail info@whitelions.org Website http://www.whitelions.org/ Addo Elephant National Park Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace. The park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area – today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 200 elephants, Cape buffalo, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. But the Addo story has only just begun. Plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park are moving forward at an exciting pace. This expansion is transforming Addo into the ultimate tourism destination. Some of its unique features already include: Unrivalled natural diversity, with five of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes). The Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks) in their natural habitat. Rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites. A wide variety of accommodation and activity options. In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and second largest breeding population of African penguins. Address Website http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/ African Conservation Trust The African Conservation Trust is a South African based trust and registered non profit organisation which has a mission to conduct environmental, cultural and heritage conservation projects in South Africa.The African Conservation Trust encourages members of the public to participate in these projects. The mission of the African Conservation Trust is to conduct environmental, cultural and heritage conservation projects as well as provide a means for these projects to become self funding through active participation by the public. This gives ordinary people a chance to make a positive and real contribution to environmental, cultural and heritage conservation by funding and participating as volunteers. Address P.O. Box 310, Link Hills, South Africa Postcode 3652 Telephone Tel: +27-31-7675044 Fax Fax: +27-86-5117594 E-mail info@projectafrica.com Website http://www.projectafrica.com/ Rhino Rescue Project With the number of rhino's lost to poaching exceeding 300 in 2010 alone and over 300 to date in 2011, there is no doubt a solution for rhino poaching needs to be found.Our mission is to provide a sustainable, cost effective defensive strategy to protect rhinos in South Africa and elsewhere from poaching. Our all-inclusive, holistic protection program includes horn treatment, indelible dye, microchips, tracking technology and DNA sampling and storage. With more than 600 rhinos lost to poaching in South Africa to during 2010 and 2011 (to date) there is no more time to waste. Address Krugersdorp, South Africa Telephone +27 (0) 82 210 5678 Fax +27 (0) 11 957 0019 E-mail rhinorescueproject@gmail.com Website http://www.rhinorescueproject.com/ http://www.spots.org.za/ http://www.rhinolion.co.za/newsite/default.asp South African Safari Airports & Travel Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) operates this country’s ten principal airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg as well as Cape Town and Durban International Airports. The others are domestic airports in Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Kimberley, Upington and Pilanesberg Airport. For more information, contact ACSA Information desk: website: www.acsa.co.za. Airport Contact Details: Johannesburg: OR Tambo International Airport Cape Town: Cape Town International Airport Durban: Durban International Airport Kruger Park: Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport Other National Airports: Bloemfontein, East London, George, Kimberley, Pilanesberg, Port Elizabeth and Upington South African Airways (SAA) - Online Bookings Flysaa.com is the South African Airways travel portal offering everything one needs to travel to, from and within South Africa. The site provides a comprehensive range of interactive online services and useful information for local and international travellers. Over 1 million people visit the site every month and a high percentage of SAA ticket sales are booked directly on flysaa.com. Charter Companies Omni Charters is based at Rand Airport in the heart of the City of Gold, and is an established air charter company providing the convenience of charter flights to boundless destinations throughout Africa. General Travel in South Africa Languages: There are 11 official languages in South Africa, but most people speak English. Standard time: South African standard time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 2), one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States eastern standard time throughout the year. There are no time zone differences within the country. Electricity: 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances. Banking, currency and money: The South African unit of currency is called the Rand and it is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. South Africa has a very sophisticated banking sector and automatic teller machines (ATM’s) are widely available in the main cities and towns, although only a R1000-00 at a time may be drawn at an ATM. Credit Cards are widely accepted, except at gas stations. Traveller’s cheques (American and Visa) and credit cards (American Express, Visa and Master Card) are widely recognised and accepted. Road Travel: There is a well-maintained network of roads and motorways in populous regions. Traffic drives on the left. In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph, and 60kph in urban areas. Petrol stations are usually open all week, 07h00 to 19h00, and some are open 24 hours. Petrol must be paid for in cash. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory, and driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. It is required that you carry a valid driver's license at all times whilst driving. Malaria & Health Malaria Many of the main tourist areas in South Africa are malaria-free, however, the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal do pose a malaria risk in the summer months. Health care professionals recommend you take malaria prophylaxis. Consult your doctor for advice concerning malaria prophylaxis, and remember that the treatment requirements differ for different areas. A simple blood test can determine if you have malaria or not. Get tested when you get home. It’s just a pinprick and a drop of blood gets examined under a microscope. It will cut out the possibility of symptoms developing months later, and the faster you catch it, the better. The most important and most effective way of preventing Malaria is to prevent mosquito bites. The following preventative measures can be taken: always use mosquito repellent wear long pants, closed shoes and light long-sleeved shirts in the evenings and at night sleep under a mosquito net in endemic areas use insect repellent containing di-ethyl toluamide or DEET thin clothing should be sprayed with repellent, especially around the elbow and ankles apply insect repellents to exposed skin areas every 4-6 hours screened mosquito proof windows and doors guard against mosquitos entering your room. General Health Medical facilities: South African medical facilities are good in urban areas and in the vicinity of game parks, but they may be limited elsewhere. Pharmacies are well-stocked and equivalents to most American medicines are available. South Africa has some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world. Make sure you get travel insurance since quality healthcare is not cheap. Drinking water: South Africa’s tap (faucet) water is of a high quality and is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. It is treated so as to be free of harmful micro-organisms, except in informal or shack settlements. In some areas, the water is mineral-rich, and you may experience a bit of gastric distress for a day or two. Bottled mineral water is readily available. Drinking water straight from rivers and streams could put you at risk of waterborne diseases, especially downstream of human settlements. Sun exposure: The African sun can be harsh, and you should wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat whenever you are out of doors, particularly between 10am and 4pm, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not. Immunizations and vaccinations: You will need to make an appointment with your personal physician or travel clinic at least one month prior to departure to review pertinent health precautions including necessary vaccinations and medications. Make sure your doctor knows you are travelling to South Africa, not just Africa, so he can prescribe the right medication. Safari Packing Guide Equipment, Personal Care, Safari Clothing & Documentation Equipment: Binoculars Video camera Bird and animal check lists Camera in a dust resistant case, with a zoom, plenty of film, memory sticks, batteries etc Personal Care: Sunscreen / block Insect repellent Moisturizer Lip balm Water bottle Sunglasses A small first aid kit, for personal use, possibly containing a mild pain killer for headaches, Immodium for diarrhea, topical antibiotic for cuts, bites or sores, adhesive pads for blisters, a sufficient supply of any prescription medication you are on, etc A small bag to carry these essentials with you whilst on a game drive / walk Safari Clothing: Safari hat with a brim Long and short sleeved cotton shirts T-shirts Cotton shorts Cotton long trousers Jeans Sweater, jersey, pullover, safari jacket or windbreaker for the evenings Down jacket if you are susceptible to the cold Skirts, dresses, slacks for elegant eveningwear Swimwear Bandannas or handkerchiefs Woollen gloves Underwear and socks Walking boots, safari-type shoes, trainers, sandals and / or rubber thongs Neutral colours such as khaki, beige, olive, green and brown are the preferred colours to wear on safari, as you are less conspicuous to the animals, and therefore less threatening to them. Non-synthetic, comfortably fitting, cotton clothing breathes more easily, keeping you cooler under the hot African sun. Shorts and T-shirts are normally the order of the day, and are replaced with long sleeved shirts and trousers at night for warmth and protection from insect bites. Documentation: Valid passport Valid visa ID photo (eg driver's licence) Air tickets Expense money Travel insurance Recommended innoculations / Valid international Health Certificates. Travellers entering South Africa from countries where yellow fever is endemic are often required to present their yellow World Health Organization (WHO) vaccination record or other proof of inoculation. Photocopies of the above documentation, carried in a place separate to the original documents For up to date information on entry requirements and assistance with applying for visas, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website. A Typical Day At A Private Game Lodge Luxury game lodges provide a host of activities for you to enjoy on your safari, such as game drives, hiking, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, swimming, reading in the library, going to the gym or indulging yourself at the health spa. Many of the luxury safari lodges also offer adventure filled activities and various safari packages such as balloon safaris, tent camp-outs, area tours, quad biking, micro-light trips, golf, star gazing, horse riding, fly fishing, deep-sea fishing, 4 x 4 trails, children’s wildlife educationals, bush walks, helicopter trips, visits to traditional cultural villages, and then of course, more game viewing. In the mornings... In the mornings and evenings, open-topped vehicles will transport you on game drives accompanied by professional rangers and trackers. Morning game drives or walks start at dawn, after a quick snack, to catch the animals when they are most active and visible. Daily walking safaris, accompanied by rangers and trackers, are also normally offered. In the heat of the day... After your early morning game drive, you can look forward to a late breakfast or brunch, followed by some time for relaxation during the heat of the day. The animals become inactive during this part of the day and you won't be missing out on any action whilst relaxing at the lodge. Later in the afternoon / evening, it will become time for another game drive or walk, after which you can spend a magnificent African evening under the stars enjoying a sundowner on the deck of your game lodge. Just relaxing... And if none of this is on your personal agenda for the day, you may simply spend the day working out at the gymnasium, reading in the library or relaxing beside the swimming pool. Or spend the day indulging yourself at the health spa. Magical evenings... The tranquil surroundings of the African bushveld after an evening safari will give you a healthy appetite for the sumptuous cuisine being prepared for the evening meal. The day's eventful sightings will probably be the main topic of conversation as everyone unwinds in front of warm log fires at night, watching tribal dancers displaying their rhythm and dance. And before you know it, you will be preparing for bed to be well rested for when you wake up to another day of African adventure and enchantment. Wildlife Conservation The natural surroundings you will be visiting are home to our magnificent animal kingdom, and their environment needs to be respected. The lives of the animals depend on the health of their land. The animals themselves need to be respected and treated in a manner which does not frighten or disturb them: Animals do not like new and unexpected noises, and when you call or shout loudly, they become nervous and feel threatened. They will run for cover, robbing you of the enjoyment of watching them. Do not disturb their natural activities, such as hunting for food. To them It means danger in one form or another, and means that they may become aggressive towards you to protect themselves. They may especially become fierce when protecting their young ones. Do not tease, corner, or throw objects at the animals, as once again, they may feel threatened and attempt to protect themselves, at your expense. Don't shine bright lights on the animals at night, as this frightens them, disrupts their nocturnal activities, and causes them to become disorientated. Don't litter the environment. The animals might attempt to eat what you threw away, and it might choke or poison them. The environment is extremely sensitive, and off-road driving causes erosion and other problems that the animals then have to live with, adapt to, or move away from in search of new homes. BACK TO TOP

View Listing Boarding Schools of South Africa Contact Information Contact Boarding Schools Phone: 829 238 103 Visit Website More Information Boarding schools across South Africa have produced great leaders and sportsman. Even President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela went to a boarding school near Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa called Healdtown Methodist Boarding School now called Healdtown Comprehensive School. There is not much that is more important than a sound, well-rounded education that takes the whole student into account. The molding of true gentlemen and ladies, young minds, futures leaders and businessmen is an extremely significant undertaking and as a result not one to be taken lightly. These individuals will represent the next generation. Consequently much of this responsibility rests on our boarding schools. Boarding schools across South Africa create opportunities for children to: Achieve academically in addition to sports Gain confidence- but not arrogance Form lasting friendships Become independent Achieve on the sports field Boarding Schools Living and studying at a boarding school helps pupils to become more responsible and reliable, while their self-confidence is strengthened and Their manners and social skills which pupils acquire help them to develop talents in leadership, as well as learning to adapt to difficult situations. Most boarding schools are very strict about homework, so you can be confident that your child is getting it done in a distraction-free environment – often in designated time slots, so your child has no choice but to do it. Here you will find a school at which your child or children can receive board and lodging during the school term. Every parent wants to teach their child to be responsible for your actions and teach them small lessons in life because that will lay a solid foundation for adulthood. Most boarding school graduates look back at their years in school as a time when lasting friendships were established. Coupled with that is the building of a network of friends and acquaintances who know you and care about you. Consequently we make it easy to find the boarding school you are looking for. Before you enroll your child please makes sure you have all the facts. Victims of Crime Survey, 2016/2017 – About 13,9% of households that have children were prevented from allowing their children to walk to school due to the fear of crime. Cars New, Pre-Owned, Financing, and More New Vehicle Specials Sell My Car Vehicle Spares Used Cars Near Me The automotive industry in South Africa is vibrant and diverse, offering a range of new and second-hand car options to cater to various preferences and budgets. This article delves into the different aspects of car ownership in South Africa, including new car options, financing and insurance, the dynamics of the second-hand car market, relevant laws, popular car types and makes, and the world of classic car collecting and restoration. New Vehicle Options South Africa boasts a wide array of new car options from both local and international manufacturers. These options include sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and luxury vehicles, catering to different needs and lifestyles. Advancements in technology have brought numerous advantages, such as improved fuel efficiency, enhanced safety features, and modern infotainment systems. New cars often come with warranties, providing peace of mind to buyers. Value and Customer Satisfaction New car buyers appreciate the value proposition offered by modern vehicles. With lower fuel consumption and reduced maintenance costs, new cars are often more cost-effective in the long run. Additionally, the availability of extended service plans and maintenance packages adds to the overall value and customer satisfaction. Buyer Regret While most new car buyers in South Africa are satisfied with their purchases, buyer regret can occur due to various reasons, such as unexpected maintenance costs, depreciation, or personal preference changes. It is crucial for buyers to conduct thorough research, consider their needs and budget, and test-drive multiple options before making a purchase. New Car Financing, Trade-Ins, and Cash Options Buying a new car in South Africa can be facilitated through various financing options. Banks, financial institutions, and car dealerships offer financing packages with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms. Additionally, trade-ins allow buyers to use their existing vehicle as a down payment for a new car. Cash purchases remain a viable option for those who prefer to buy cars outright. Cost of Insurance The cost of insurance for a new car depends on factors such as the vehicle’s value, make, model, age, and the driver’s profile. Comprehensive insurance coverage is recommended to protect against theft, accidents, and natural disasters. Insurance premiums can vary, and it is advisable to compare quotes from different insurance providers to ensure the best coverage at an affordable price. Car Buying News Staying informed about the latest car buying news is crucial for prospective buyers. It helps them understand market trends, upcoming models, and potential price fluctuations. Various online resources, automotive magazines, and dealership newsletters provide valuable insights into the South African car market. Popular Car Types and Makes In South Africa, popular car types include hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and bakkies (pickup trucks). Renowned international brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, and BMW have a strong presence in the market. These brands offer a wide range of models with each having their strong suits: Toyota: Known for its reliability and durability, Toyota vehicles are highly sought after in South Africa. Models such as the Corolla, Hilux, Fortuner, and Rav4 are among the top choices for buyers. Volkswagen: Volkswagen cars are known for their quality engineering and European design. The Polo, Golf, Tiguan, and Polo Vivo are popular models in South Africa, offering a blend of style, performance, and comfort. Ford: Ford vehicles are known for their robustness and versatility. The Ford Ranger, Everest, EcoSport, and Fiesta are well-received in the South African market, catering to both urban and off-road needs. BMW: As a luxury brand, BMW offers a range of premium vehicles that combine performance, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology. Models like the 3 Series, X5, 1 Series, and X3 are popular choices among those seeking a luxurious driving experience. In addition to these brands, other notable car makes in South Africa include Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Hyundai, and Kia, among others. These brands offer a wide range of models to suit different budgets and preferences. Availability of Spares, Service Costs, and Dealer Presence One important consideration for car owners is the availability of spares and the cost of servicing their vehicles. Popular car makes in South Africa usually have a well-established dealer network and service centers, ensuring convenient access to genuine spare parts and reliable maintenance services. It is advisable to research the availability and cost of spares for specific car models before making a purchase. Dealerships and authorized service centers play a crucial role in providing after-sales support, including routine maintenance, repairs, and warranty services. Choosing a car make with a strong dealer presence can contribute to a smooth ownership experience, as it ensures easy access to professional assistance and quality service. As previously mentioned, renowned international car brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, and BMW have a strong presence in the market, offering a wide range of models. These brands have established dealer networks and authorized service centers across the country, ensuring easy access to genuine spares and reliable maintenance services. Second Hand / Used Vehicle Market South Africa has a thriving second-hand car market, offering buyers an affordable alternative to purchasing new vehicles. The dynamics of the second-hand car market are influenced by factors such as supply and demand, vehicle age, mileage, condition, and market trends. Private sellers, independent dealerships, and certified pre-owned programs by manufacturers contribute to the availability of second-hand cars. Buyers in the second-hand market have a wide variety of options to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly entry-level vehicles to high-end luxury cars. While purchasing a second-hand car can save money upfront, it is essential to conduct thorough inspections, obtain a comprehensive vehicle history report, and consider factors like maintenance costs and potential repairs. Professional pre-purchase inspections and test drives are recommended to assess the condition and overall performance of the vehicle. Staying informed about car buying news in South Africa is vital for prospective buyers. Car buying news provides valuable insights into the latest market trends, upcoming models, pricing, promotions, and incentives. It helps buyers make informed decisions and take advantage of favorable market conditions. Online automotive portals, industry publications, and news websites are excellent sources of car buying news in South Africa. South Africa has specific laws and regulations in place for buying and selling cars. These laws aim to protect buyers and sellers and ensure fair and transparent transactions. When buying a car, it is important to ensure that the seller provides all necessary documentation, including the vehicle registration papers, roadworthy certificate, and proof of ownership. Buyers should also verify that the vehicle is not stolen or encumbered by outstanding debt. Sellers are required to disclose any known defects or issues with the vehicle and provide accurate information about its history. The Consumer Protection Act and the National Credit Act provide additional protections for consumers in car transactions. Applicable Laws for Buying and Selling Cars South Africa has specific laws governing the buying and selling of cars. Buyers should ensure that the seller provides all necessary documentation, including the vehicle registration papers, roadworthy certificate, and proof of ownership. It is also essential to verify that the vehicle is not stolen or encumbered by outstanding debt. The South African Police Service (SAPS) offers a platform to check the status of a vehicle’s ownership and legality. Classic Cars Classic car collecting is a popular hobby in South Africa, with enthusiasts passionate about preserving vintage vehicles and participating in various activities and events. Collectors often invest in classic cars for their historical significance, aesthetic appeal, and potential value appreciation. Restorations are undertaken to bring these classic vehicles back to their original condition, often requiring expertise and attention to detail. Once can find several accomplished home mechanics in residential areas of the country, particularly in the major provinces. Classic car shows, exhibitions, and rallies are organized across the country, providing platforms for enthusiasts to showcase their prized vehicles and interact with fellow collectors. These events celebrate automotive heritage and offer opportunities for the public to appreciate and learn about classic cars. Malaria Malaria South Africa is the only country in Africa that can officially offer a fully malaria-free safari experience. The assured malaria-free safari areas are the Eastern Cape , North West Province (including the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Game Reserve), and the Waterberg. Malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal, with malaria cases starting to rise in October, peaking in January and February, and waning towards May. Malaria is caused by a one-celled parasite called a Plasmodium. Female Anopheles mosquitoes pick up the parasite from infected people when they bite to obtain blood needed to nurture their eggs. Inside the mosquito the parasites reproduce and develop. Malaria Malaria parasite – Plasmodium is a genus of unicellular eukaryotes that are obligate parasites of vertebrates and insects. Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite. The parasites travel to the liver where they mature and reproduce. Malaria has been recognized since the Greek and Roman civilizations over 2,000 years ago. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. The malaria parasite is not in an infected person’s saliva and it is not passed on from one person to another. The only way you can catch malaria from a person is through blood transfusions or organ transplants. For most people, symptoms begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although a person may feel ill as early as 7 days or as late as 1 year later. Two kinds of malaria, P. vivax and P. ovale, can occur again (relapsing malaria). If the right drugs are used, people who have malaria can be cured and all the malaria parasites can be cleared from their body. In general, it takes about two weeks of treatment to be cured of malaria. People traveling to areas where malaria is common typically take protective drugs before, during and after their trip. Treatment includes antimalarial drugs. Malaria is often also incorrectly diagnosed as flu. Without proper treatment, malaria episodes (fever, chills, sweating) can return periodically over a period of years. After repeated exposure, patients will become partially immune and develop milder disease. Treatment of malaria depends on the number of different factors that include disease severity, the particular species of Plasmodium infecting the patient and the potential for drug resistance of the various species and strains of Plasmodium. In general, it takes about two weeks of treatment to be cured of malaria. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream. The most common antimalarial drugs include: Chloroquine (Aralen) Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin) Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Mefloquine. Combination of atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone) Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: severe or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea; fever, mouth sores; problems with speech, balance, or walking; severe skin rash; nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine Choosing the Anti-Malarial Medication That’s Right for You: Atovaquone/proguanil. Brand Names: Malarone, Malanil. Chloroquine. Brand Names: Aralen, Resochin and Dawaquin. Doxycycline. Brand Names: Vibramycin, Monodox, Periostat, Vibra-Tabs. Mefloquine. Brand Names: Lariam, Mephaquin, Mefliam. Primaquine. Brand Names: Primaquine. Make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose, and finish the course. If you are sick within one hour of taking your daily tablet, you need to take another dose to make sure you remain protected against malaria. Some drugs are not effective because the parasite is resistant to them. Medicines to prevent malaria that you take daily include doxycycline and atovone/proguanil (Malarone). All prophylactic drugs should be taken with unfailing regularity for the duration of the stay in the malaria risk area, and should be continued for 4 weeks after the last possible exposure to infection, since parasites may still emerge from the liver during this period. Diagnosis of malaria involves performing blood smears. For a blood smear, a drop of blood is applied to and spread onto a glass slide. It is then treated with a special stain and examined under a microscope for the morphology of infected blood cells and the parasite. In early stages only red blood cells get affected. Later, Malaria mostly affects liver and spleen causing hepato and spleenomegaly. Anemia is common in patients with malaria, in part due to the effects of the Plasmodium parasite on the red cells. It is extremely uncommon for malaria to cause skin lesions or rash. In the vast majority of cases, malaria is only transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito. However, if a pregnant woman becomes infected with malaria, she can pass the parasite to her unborn child via the placenta, or via blood transfer during childbirth. Bite prevention – avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, covering your arms and legs, and using a mosquito net. All travelers should be advised that personal protection from mosquito bites between dusk and dawn is their first line of defense against malaria. Check whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets – if you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose, and finish the course. General Health Risks: Malaria Malaria is transmitted by the night-time – dusk to dawn – biting female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria – Overview How to Protect Yourself Against Malaria World Malaria Risk Chart Risk is absent in most of the country; risk exists only in specified areas: Risk is present in the northeastern provinces of Limpopo , the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal as far south along the coast to the Tugela River. Peak risk period: October to May. Note: Travellers visiting Kruger National Park and Tembe National Park are advised to take malaria suppressive medication during the peak risk period. Take meticulous anti-mosquito measures from dusk to dawn year round. High risk months for Malaria are: January to December Malaria transmission vector(s): A.funestus, A.gambiae Incidence of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria: 90% Of the five species of human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous. The remaining percentage represents malaria infections that may be caused by one or more of the following parasites: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Areas with drug resistant Malaria: Multidrug resistant P. falciparum malaria is present in all malarious areas of South Africa. The antimalarial medications listed below are effective for this country. Suppressive Medication Guide All malaria infections are serious illnesses and must be treated as a medical emergency. In offering guidance on the choice of antimalarial drugs, the main concern is to provide protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the most dangerous and often fatal form of the illness. Regardless of the medication which has been taken, it is of utmost importance for travellers and their physician to consider fever and flu-like symptoms appearing 7 days up to several months after leaving a malarious area as a malaria breakthrough. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. In addition to the suggested antimalarial medication, use a mosquito bed net and effective repellents to avoid the bite of the nocturnal Anopheles mosquito. VIA: https://www.iamat.org/country/south-africa/risk/malaria International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers. IAMAT South Africa is one of 14 African countries to have received recognition for its fight against malaria during the 2016 African Leaders Malaria Alliance (Alma) meeting on 30 January as part of the 26th African Union Summit in Ethiopia. South Africa’s progress In South Africa, cases of malaria have decreased by 82%; and the malaria related death rate has dropped by 71% since the year 2000 to date. The decrease is attributed to a sound malaria vector control programme, in which the country has used dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT odourless insecticide for indoor residual spraying, coupled with other World Health Organization recommended interventions. The key to a better malaria vaccine The malaria vaccine was invented more than a century ago — yet each year, hundreds of thousands of people still die from the disease. How can we improve this vital vaccine? In this informative talk, immunologist and TED Fellow Faith Osier shows how she’s combining cutting-edge technology with century-old insights in the hopes of creating a new vaccine that eradicates malaria once and for all. OR Tambo International Airport OR Tambo International Airport OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park , Ekurhuleni is the largest and busiest airport in Africa. A thoroughly modern and state-of-the-art airport OR Tambo International handles more than 19 million passengers per year and employs more than 18,000 people. OR Tambo International is Africa’s gateway to the world. No other airport in Africa can handle as many domestic and international flights and the airport boasts one of the world’s longest international runways. All of the world’s major airlines land at OR Tambo International and you can catch a flight to any regional and most international destinations from the airport. The airport was founded as Jan Smuts International Airport in 1952, replacing Palmietfontein International Airport that had handled European flights to South Africa since 1945. With South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, the name was changed to Johannesburg International Airport and on October 27, 2006, the airport was renamed again in honour of the anti-apartheid activist and former African National Congress president Oliver Tambo . Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ the airport underwent a major facelift to increase handling capacity, parking and retail space. OR Tambo International has two terminals handling domestic and international flights. Terminal A handles international traffic and Terminal B domestic flights. Both terminals consist of two levels, with departures on the upper level and arrivals on the lower. OR Tambo International Airport, IATA Code: JNB and often shortened to ORTIA, lies 5,558 ft / 1,694 m above sea level in the Johannesburg suburb of Kempton Park, 23 km east of Johannesburg city centre and 46km south of Pretoria. There is no shortage of shopping opportunities for visitors at OR Tambo International Airport and it easily compares with some of Johannesburg’s bigger malls in terms of shopping and dining options, both before and after you pass through security. South Africa has extremely good cell phone network coverage and the country’s leading cell phone network operators have stores at the airport offering cell phone rentals. There are also four currency exchange offices – Absa, Rennies, Master Currency and American Express, where you can also cash traveller’s cheques. Local Government in South Africa Local Government in South Africa Local Government in South Africa Local government is one of the three spheres of government in South Africa, along with national and provincial government. Local government is responsible for providing services to communities, such as water, sanitation, roads, and electricity. It also plays a role in planning and development, and in promoting economic growth. There are three categories of municipalities in South Africa: metropolitan municipalities, district municipalities, and local municipalities. Metropolitan municipalities are the largest municipalities, and they cover major urban areas such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban . District municipalities are responsible for areas that contain several local municipalities. Local municipalities are the smallest municipalities, and they cover smaller towns and rural areas. Each municipality has a council that is elected by the people who live in the municipality. The council is responsible for making decisions about how the municipality is run. The mayor is the head of the municipality, and they are responsible for representing the municipality to the public and to other levels of government. Local government is an important part of South Africa’s democracy. It provides a way for people to have a say in how their communities are run, and it helps to ensure that services are delivered to all communities, regardless of their size or location. Here are some of the key functions of local government in South Africa: Providing basic services: Local government is responsible for providing a range of basic services to communities, such as water, sanitation, roads, and electricity. Planning and development: Local government plays a role in planning and development, and in promoting economic growth. Providing social services: Local government provides a range of social services, such as housing, education, and healthcare. Enforcing by-laws: Local government is responsible for enforcing by-laws, which are rules that are designed to protect the public and the environment. Representing the community: Local government represents the community to the public and to other levels of government. Here are some of the challenges facing local government in South Africa: Inadequate funding: Local government is often underfunded, which can make it difficult to provide basic services and to implement development plans. Corruption: Corruption is a problem in some local governments, which can lead to mismanagement and waste. Lack of capacity: Some local governments lack the capacity to effectively deliver services and to implement development plans. Political interference: Political interference can sometimes make it difficult for local governments to make decisions and to implement policies. Despite these challenges, local government is an important part of South Africa’s democracy. It provides a way for people to have a say in how their communities are run, and it helps to ensure that services are delivered to all communities, regardless of their size or location. News from the World Heath Organization News from the World Heath Organization News from the World Heath Organization: EXPLAINER | How freezing embryos plays a crucial role in IVF Source: News Published on 2024-04-19 Former SANDF general accused of R2.1m fraud granted bail Source: News Published on 2024-04-19 Stock Market Outlook for April 19, 2024 Source: Equity Clock Published on 2024-04-18 USDZAR Price Forecast: Rand Remains Steady after Local CPI Inflation - DailyFX Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-18 USD/ZAR Forecast: South African Rand Continues to See Pressure - DailyForex Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-18 SA is facing a fast escalating heroin crisis — and it’s being misunderstood Source: News Published on 2024-04-18 Helen Suzman Foundation rejects white paper on immigration legislation Source: News Published on 2024-04-18 Life imprisonment for man who raped girl, 7, walking home from school Source: News Published on 2024-04-18 20.3461 ZAR = 1 EUR 2024-04-18 ECB Reference rate Source: EURZAR Published on 2024-04-18 USD/ZAR forecast: 3 catalysts for the South African rand - Oil & Gas 360 Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-17 Stock Market Outlook for April 18, 2024 Source: Equity Clock Published on 2024-04-17 USDZAR price forecast: rand remains steady after local CPI inflation | IG South Africa Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-17 USD/ZAR forecast: 3 catalysts for the South African rand | Invezz Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-17 COMMENT-Power of the cloud twist provides the rand with relief - TradingView Source: USDZAR Published on 2024-04-17 20.2752 ZAR = 1 EUR 2024-04-17 ECB Reference rate Source: EURZAR Published on 2024-04-17 Explore Network Useful Links Useful Links from Explore South Africa to make the most of your stay in South Africa. Mozambique, Africa The fastest growing tourist destination in Africa! Cheap Flight South Africa All you need to know about booking cheap flights to South Africa. Guide to Wines of the World All you need to know about the many different countries who produce Wine from South Africa to California. South African Travel The South African Travel Corporation focuses on groups of like-minded individuals looking for an authentic WOW South Africa travel Experience ™. We offer safari trips, city packages, winelands tours, corporate travel, golf tours, and more! South African National Anthem Learn the South African National Anthem. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa) Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, (Raise high Her glory) Yizwa imithandazo yethu, (Hear our Prayers) Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. (God bless us, we her children) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, (God protect our nation) O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, (End all wars and tribulations) O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, (Protect, protect our nation) Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika. (Our nation South Africa, South Africa) Uit die blou van onse hemel, (Ringing out from our blue heavens) Uit die diepte van ons see, (From our deep seas breaking round) Oor ons ewige gebergtes, (Over everlasting mountains) Waar die kranse antwoord gee, (Where the echoing crags resound) Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land. Travel info Links Eating and Going Out Eat Out – Johannesburg and Sandton is home to a huge culinary scene that you wouldn’t expect. There are hundreds of restaurants and some very top notch spots. Eat Out is probably the closest thing South Africa has to Yelp in the US. They also have an app for the iphone but it is not at the level that Yelp is in the states. I’d however, associate Eat Out with more of a Zagat equivalent than Yelp. Dining Out – Another restaurant website with a more archaic design but provides in depth coverage of the restaurants in the area. Food 24 – Another great restaurant resource that is similar to NYC’s nymag.com Table Magic – This is without a doubt South Africa’s equivalent to Opentable in the US and TopTable in the UK. Neighbourgoods Market – Every Saturday, there is a food market in Joburg and Capetown Market on Main – Similar to Neighbourgoods Market, there is another food market on Sundays in Joburg. Car Purchasing Autotrader.co.za – The equivalent of Autotrader in the US. Best website to buy a used car. Cars.co.za – Equivalent to cars.com in the states. Carfind – Another informative new and used car website. Automart – Another great resource for buying/selling cars Fitness Clubs Virgin Active – One of two large chains of gyms in South Africa. Planet Fitness – The other gym in town. Planet Fitness Platinum – A very high end gym in Sandton that costs more than 2x the regular gyms. Extremely nice however. Buying/Renting a home Property 24 – Probably the largest and most commonly used website to find houses/apartments for sale/rent. Gumtree / OLX – Just like craigslist in the US, Gumtree and OLX are jack of all trades and many people post their properties for subletting, lease, or sale Private Property – Another solid option for finding housing. Online Shopping Woolworths – A large chain store that is like a smaller version of a walmart super store. Groceries and clothing both available. Online website caters to non-food goods Kalahar i – A very small version of Amazon.com. Amazon is unfortunately not in South Africa but they do ship internationally here for a premium. Kalahari is about as close of an alternative as it gets to Amazon. Bid or Buy – Closet thing to eBay as it gets in SA. Safaris and Overland Tours Tour Operators – These companies actually put on the tour so you’d be booking straight from the source Acacia Africa – One of the most reputable companies for safaris and overlanding. I have a few trips booked with these guys in the future. Specializing in Eastern and Southern Africa Nomad Tours – Another very reputable company for overland tours. Specializing in Eastern and Southern Africa Drifters – Tour company based out of South Africa that also specializes in Eastern and Southern African tours. Very reputable. Intrepid Tours – A big international tour company with tours all around the world. I find that because these guys are not based out of SA, their tours are generally a bit more expensive than Nomad and Acacia G Adventures – Another big tour company with trips all around the world. Prices are all quoted in USD and inclusive of local payment. I’ve seen their trucks all over my trips so they’re clearly reputable but they are considerably more expensive. Tour Agents – Think of these as the Kayak search of Safaris and Overland Tours: One site consolidates tours from multiple operators African Budget Safaris – I’ve actually talked on the phone with these guys a bunch, sometimes the best way to get information is to call instead of email. These guys are very helpful and seriously have access and information on any tour out there. Their name is budget but they also have more expensive and non-budget options available. The tour agents can generally offer you a discount vs the operator’s website and I’ve already booked a tour through them already. Detour Africa – Similar premise as the above website. I’ve also been on the phone with these guys and they are also very helpful. South Africa Airlines Flight Centre – This seems to be the go to website to search for flights around South Africa and Africa. They also have very cheap tour packages around the area. Kulula – This seems to be South Africa’s equivalent to Europe’s Easyjet. They generally have cheaper flights than say South African Airways to places like Durban and Cape Town. Mango – Another Budget Airline that flies within South Africa. FlySAFair – The newest budget airline of South Africa, this airline offers easily the lowest fairs between Joburg and Cape Town! Additional Links Oyster Worldwide – Gap year planning specialists Golf Escapes South Africa – For planning golf related trips in South Africa Holiday Place – Travel experts with a wide array of experience and offerings to plan your next holiday in Africa Taxi2Airport – My preferred method of arranging taxi pickups at airports around the world True Luxury Travel – Experts in luxury travel planning adventure around Africa Wayfairer Travel – Specializes in offering luxury holidays and safaris which are authentic, meaningful and socially responsible, and which thereby also benefit local communities and conserve environments. Pettitts – Pioneers in planning and organizing self-drive tours around different parts of the world Useful Links – Tourism Travel Department of Tourism https://www.tourism.gov.za/ South African Tourism http://www.southafrica.net/ Tourism Indaba http://www.indaba-southafrica.co.za/ Meetings Africa https://www.meetingsafrica.co.za/ Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa http://fedhasa.co.za/ Tourism Business Council of South Africa http://tbcsa.travel/ Tourism Grading Council http://www.tourismgrading.co.za/ Regional Tourism Authorities Eastern Cape Tourism http://www.visiteasterncape.co.za/ Free State Tourism http://freestatetourism.org/ Gauteng Tourism http://www.gauteng.net/ KwaZulu-Natal Tourism http://www.zulu.org.za/ Limpopo Tourism http://www.golimpopo.com/ Mpumalanga Tourism http://www.mtpa.co.za/ North West Tourism http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/ Northern Cape Tourism http://experiencenortherncape.com/ Cape Town & Western Cape Tourism http://goto.capetown/home Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism http://www.nmbt.co.za/ Joburg Tourism http://www.joburgtourism.com/ Animals & Plants South African National Parks https://www.sanparks.org/ Kruger National Park http://www.krugerpark.co.za/ Cape Nature Conservation http://www.capenature.co.za/ South African National Biodiversity Institute http://www.sanbi.org/ Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa http://www.wessa.org.za/ Geography and Climate Mapping South Africa http://www.mapstudio.co.za/southafricamap.php South African Weather Service http://www.weathersa.co.za/ Getting Around South African Airways https://www.flysaa.com/ SA Express http://www.flyexpress.aero/ Airports Company South Africa http://www.airports.co.za/ Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa http://www.prasa.com/ South African National Roads Agency https://www.i-traffic.co.za/ Gautrain Rapid Rail Link http://www.gautrain.co.za/ Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport http://www.reavaya.org.za/ MyCiti Bus Rapid Transport http://myciti.org.za/ MetroRail http://www.metrorail.co.za/ BACK TO TOP

HOTELS IN SOUTH AFRICA South Africa is a country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking beauty. Whether you're looking for a luxurious or a budget-friendly stay, there are plenty of hotels to choose. From the bustling of Johannesburg to the stunning beaches of Cape Town, there's something for everyone. Let us help you find the perfect hotel for your South African adventure. B&BS in South Africa 1680 South Africa B&Bs. Good availability and great rates for bnbs in South Africa. … Guest Houses in South Africa 4961 South Africa guest houses. Good availability and great rates for guest … Hotels in Port Elizabeth Find hotels in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Book online, pay at the hotel. Good rates … Hotels in East London Find hotels in East London, South Africa. Book online, pay at the hotel. Good rates … Service Name Service Name Service Name Service Name Vereeniging 47 Hotels Find hotels in Vereeniging, South Africa. Book online, pay at the hotel. Good rates … Durban South Coast 1381 Ho… On average, 3-star hotels in Durban South Coast cost £48 per night, and 4-star … Port Shepstone 1112 Hotels Find hotels in Port Shepstone, South Africa. Book online, pay at the hotel. Good rates … Port St Johns 19 Hotels Find hotels in Port St Johns, South Africa. Book online, pay at the hotel. Good rates … These are the 10 best hotels in South Africa right now The Dreamiest Luxury Lodges in South Africa | Travel Insider These are the 10 best hotels in South Africa right now Africa’s Top 10 Ultra-Luxurious Hotel Suites | Best Africa Accommodation Top 15 luxury hotels in South Africa with amazing views - Briefly.co.za Luxury Hotels in South Africa 2019/2020 | Sovereign One&Only Cape Town Hotel Review, South Africa | Travel Sheraton Pretoria Hotel - Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa booking and map. These are the 10 best hotels in South Africa right now 5 Top Luxury Hotels in South Africa - 79985 Fairmont Zimbali Resort, Durban - Hotel Essence Photography The best hotels in South Africa The Palace of the Lost City – Sun City Resort and Casino – South Africa ... 5-Sterne-Hotels in Kapstadt 5-Sterne-Hotels in Greater Johannesburg 5-Sterne-Hotels in Overberg District 5-Sterne-Hotels in Johannesburg 5-Sterne-Hotels in Pretoria 5-Sterne-Hotels in Kapstadt Zentrum 5-Sterne-Hotels in Sandton 5-Sterne-Hotels in Durban 5-Sterne-Hotels in Overstrand 5-Sterne-Hotels in Camps Bay 5-Sterne-Hotels in Waterberg 5-Sterne-Hotels in Port Elizabeth 5-Sterne-Hotels in Knysna 5-Sterne-Hotels in Bloemfontein 5-Sterne-Hotels in East London 5-Sterne-Hotels in Stellenbosch 5-Sterne-Hotels in Plettenberg Bay 5-Sterne-Hotels in Saldanha Bay Municipality 5-Sterne-Hotels in Hermanus 5-Sterne-Hotels in Maruleng BACK TO TOP

The Northern Cape Northern Cape, province, western South Africa . It is bordered to the north by Namibia and Botswana ; to the east by North West , Free State , and Eastern Cape provinces; to the south and southwest by Western Cape province; and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean . Northern Cape was administratively created out of northern and central Cape of Good Hope province in 1994. Kimberley is the provincial capital. Northern Cape’s eastern half and southwest form part of the Highveld, an arid plateau that gradually rises to the Great Escarpment (more than 6,000 feet [1,900 metres] in elevation) along the province’s southern border. To the northwest is desert, including the sand dunes of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , a conservation area jointly managed by South Africa and Botswana. The Orange River traverses the province from east to west and provides water for irrigation. The Orange is joined by one of its main tributaries, the Vaal River , near Douglas, in the east. In the west, near the Namibian border, the river plunges in a series of cataracts and rapids at Augrabies Falls , a total drop of more than 600 feet (183 metres). Thornveld is the natural vegetation of the province, and the climate is generally hot and arid. Annual rainfall increases from 4 inches (100 mm) in the west to about 14 inches (350 mm) in the east. Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. About half of the population is of mixed race. Blacks make up about one-third of the population, and whites constitute about one-tenth. Afrikaans is by far the most widely used language, spoken by about two-thirds of the population. Tswana is spoken by about one-fifth of the population. Several other languages are also spoken, including Xhosa and English. More than two-thirds of the population live in urban areas. The major urban centres are Kimberley and Upington. Annual spring wildflower display, Northern Cape province, South Africa. Merino sheep are raised in the south and Karakul sheep in the north, and cattle graze throughout the province. Pig raising and horse breeding are also practiced. Wheat, alfalfa (lucerne), cotton, peanuts (groundnuts), citrus fruit, and grapes are grown under irrigation. There are vineyards in the north. Winter rains in the western part of the province sustain an abundance of wildflowers. Mining is an important industry in Northern Cape. Major copper mines are located in Nababeep, Okiep, and Aggeneys. Diamonds are recovered throughout the province. Many diamonds and other precious stones are mined in the arid region of Namaqualand in the west, along the Atlantic coast. Kimberley, in the east, is well known for its diamond-mining past and is still a centre for mining and cutting diamonds. Northern Cape province produces almost all of the manganese mined in South Africa. Tungsten, zinc, lead, asbestos, iron ore, and limestone are also extracted at various locations. Area 143,973 square miles (372,889 square km). Pop. (2009 est.) 1,147, 600. Kuruman, town, Northern Cape province, South Africa . It is located in the northeastern corner of the province and is distantly southwest of Johannesburg. Originally a missionary station (1821), it later became an area of white settlement (town founded, 1885; incorporated, 1916). The town is chiefly known for a local spring—the Eye of Kuruman—which rises in a cave in this otherwise semidesert thornveld area and supplies at least 4,500,000 gallons (17,000,000 l) daily. Kuruman is also known for its dairy cattle and trade in butter. Pop. (2001) 9,823. Namaqualand Karoo-Namib shrubland Tree aloes and other succulents growing in the Karoo-Namib shrubland in Namaqualand, South Africa. Namaqualand, geographic region , southwestern Africa, extending from near Windhoek , Namibia, southward into Northern Cape province, South Africa, and from the Namib desert eastward to the Kalahari . The area, inhabited by the Nama before the German occupation of the region in the 19th century, is divided by the Orange River into Little Namaqualand in South Africa and Great Namaqualand in Namibia . The region is primarily desert, with annual precipitation averaging between 2 and 8 inches (50 and 200 mm). Namaqualand The South African portion of Namaqualand lies in Northern Cape province. Its chief town is Springbok. From 1908 most of the western part of Namaqualand in Namibia was marked off as Sperrgebiet (German: “Prohibited Area”), which could not be entered without a pass. The Sperrgebiet was extremely rich in diamonds, the mining of which was strictly controlled; parts of the area are still mined. The Sperrgebiet is also known for its unique flora. In 2004 the Namibian government, hoping to increase tourism, announced plans to open some 60 percent of the area and establish it as a national park. The Sperrgebiet National Park formally opened in 2009. Coordinates : 30°S 22°E The Northern Cape (Afrikaans : Noord-Kaap [ˈnuərtkɑːp] ; Tswana : Kapa Bokone; Xhosa : Mntla-Koloni) is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa . It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley . It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park , part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and an international park shared with Botswana . It also includes the Augrabies Falls and the diamond mining regions in Kimberley and Alexander Bay . The Namaqualand region in the west is famous for its Namaqualand daisies . The southern towns of De Aar and Colesberg found within the Great Karoo are major transport nodes between Johannesburg , Cape Town and Gqeberha . Kuruman can be found in the north-east and is known as a mission station. It is also well known for its artesian spring and Eye of Kuruman . The Orange River flows through the province, forming the borders with the Free State in the southeast and with Namibia to the northwest. The river is also used to irrigate the many vineyards in the arid region near Upington . Native speakers of Afrikaans comprise a higher percentage of the population in the Northern Cape than in any other province. The Northern Cape's four official languages are Afrikaans, Tswana , Xhosa , and English . Minorities speak the other official languages of South Africa and a few people speak indigenous languages such as Nama and Khwe . The provincial motto, Sa ǁa ǃaĩsi 'uĩsi ("We go to a better life"), is in the Nǀu language of the Nǁnǂe (ǂKhomani) people. It was given in 1997 by one of the language's last speakers, Ms. Elsie Vaalbooi of Rietfontein , who has since died. It was South Africa's first officially registered motto in a Khoisan language . Subsequently, South Africa's national motto , ǃKe e ǀxarra ǁke, was derived from the extinct ǀXam language . History Main article: History of the Northern Cape The Northern Cape was one of three provinces made out of the Cape Province in 1994, the others being Western Cape to the south and Eastern Cape to the southeast. Politically, it had been dominated since 1994 by the African National Congress (ANC).[6] Ethnic issues are important in the politics of the Northern Cape. For example, it is the site of the Orania settlement, whose leaders have called for a Volkstaat for the Afrikaner people in the province. The Northern Cape is also the home of over 1,000 San who emigrated from Namibia following the independence of the country; they had served as trackers and scouts for the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War , and feared reprisals from their former foes. They were awarded a settlement in Platfontein in 1999 by the Mandela government. The precolonial history of the Northern Cape is reflected in a rich, mainly Stone Age, archaeological heritage . Cave sites include Wonderwerk Cave near Kuruman, which has a uniquely long sequence stretching from the turn of the twentieth century at the surface to more than 1 million (and possibly nearly 2 million) years in its basal layer (where stone tools , occurring in very low density, may be Oldowan ). Many sites across the province, mostly in open air locales or in sediments alongside rivers or pans, document Earlier, Middle and Later Stone Age habitation. From Later Stone Age times, mainly, there is a wealth of rock art sites – most of which are in the form of rock engravings such as at Wildebeest Kuil and many sites in the area known as ǀXam -ka !kau , in the Karoo. They occur on hilltops, slopes, rock outcrops and occasionally (as in the case of Driekops Eiland near Kimberley), in a river bed. In the north eastern part of the province there are sites attributable to the Iron Age such as Dithakong . Environmental factors have meant that the spread of Iron Age farming westwards (from the 17th century – but dating from the early first millennium AD in the eastern part of South Africa) was constrained mainly to the area east of the Langeberg Mountains, but with evidence of influence as far as the Upington area in the eighteenth century. From that period the archaeological record also reflects the development of a complex colonial frontier when precolonial social formations were considerably disrupted and there is an increasing 'fabric heavy' imprint of built structures, ash-heaps, and so on. The copper mines of Namaqualand and the diamond rush to the Kimberley area resulted in industrial archaeological landscapes in those areas which herald the modern era in South African history. Government Main article: Government of the Northern Cape The provincial government consists of a premier, an executive council of ten ministers, and a legislature. The provincial assembly and premier are elected for five-year terms, or until the next national election. Political parties are awarded assembly seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives in the province during the national elections. The assembly elects a premier, who then appoints the members of the executive council. The premier of the Northern Cape as of 2019 is Zamani Saul of the African National Congress. Political history The politics of the Northern Cape are dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), but their position has not been as strong as in the other provinces. Initially, no party had an absolute majority. In 1994 the ANC's Manne Dipico became the first Premier of the Northern Cape after Ethne Papenfus, the sole elected representative of the Democratic Party (DP), voted with the ANC. In return, she was elected speaker of the legislature. The ANC increased its voter share in later elections and has remained firmly in charge of the province after 1999. Dipuo Peters replaced Dipico as Premier in 2004. The official opposition in the Northern Cape after the 2004 elections was the Democratic Alliance , receiving 11% of the vote in the provincial ballot. The opposition's hopes of unseating the ANC has not had any success, even with the Congress of the People (COPE), a splinter party from the ANC, helping to split the vote in the election of 22 April 2009 . Hazel Jenkins became Premier following the election, and COPE became the official opposition. Jenkins was later replaced by Sylvia Lucas in 2013. The 2014 election saw the ANC returned to power once again with an increased mandate, while DA once again became the official opposition, after the collapse of COPE. The newly formed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also entered the legislature for the first time. Sylvia Lucas was re-elected to her first full term. In the 2019 election, the Northern Cape was considered competitive. The opposition DA planned on taking over the province. The ANC returned as the majority party but the party's support had dropped. The DA was once again the official opposition with an increased seat total. The EFF made gains, while the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) won a seat in the legislature for the first time since 2004. Geography See also: List of cities and towns in the Northern Cape A waterfall situated a few kilometres north of Nieuwoudtville on the road to Loeriesfontein , in the Northern Cape (Namaqualand region). The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province, and distances between towns are enormous due to its sparse population. Its size is just shy of the size of the American state of Montana and slightly larger than that of Germany. The province is dominated by the Karoo Basin and consists mostly of sedimentary rocks and some dolerite intrusions. The south and south-east of the province is high-lying, 1,200–1,900 metres (3,900–6,200 ft), in the Roggeveld and Nuweveld districts. The west coast is dominated by the Namaqualand region, famous for its spring flowers. This area is hilly to mountainous and consists of granites and metamorphic rocks . The central areas are generally flat with interspersed salt pans. Kimberlite intrusions punctuate the Karoo rocks, giving the province its most precious natural resource, diamonds . The north is primarily Kalahari Desert, characterised by parallel red sand dunes and acacia tree dry savanna.[citation needed ] Northern Cape has a shoreline in the west on the South Atlantic Ocean. It borders the following areas of Namibia and Botswana: ǁKaras Region , Namibia – northwest Hardap Region, Namibia – far northwest Kgalagadi District, Botswana – north Domestically, it borders the following provinces: North West – northeast Free State – east Eastern Cape – southeast Western Cape – south and southwest Rivers The major river system is the Orange (or Gariep ) River Basin, draining the interior of South Africa westwards into the Atlantic Ocean. (The political philosopher Neville Alexander has used the idea of the 'Garieb' as a metaphor for nationhood in South Africa, a flowing together, in preference to the rainbow metaphor where the diverse colours remain distinct).[14] The principal tributary of the Orange is the Vaal River , which flows through part of the Northern Cape from the vicinity of Warrenton . The Vaal, in turn, has tributaries within the province: the Harts River and the Riet River , which has its own major tributary, the Modder River . Above the Orange-Vaal confluence, the Seekoei River drains part of the northeastern Karoo into the Orange River above the Vanderkloof Dam . Next downstream from the Orange-Vaal confluence is the Brak River , which flows nonperennially from the south and is in turn fed by the Ongers River , rising in the vicinities of Hanover and Richmond respectively. Along the Orange River near the town of Kakamas , the Hartebeest River drains the central Karoo . Above Kenhardt the Hartebeest is known as the Sak River , which has its source on the northern side of the escarpment, southeast of Williston . Further downstream from Kakamas, below the Augrabies Falls , and seldom actually flowing into the Orange River, is the Molopo River , which comes down from the Kalahari in the north. With its tributary, the Nossob River , it defines part of the international boundary between South Africa and Botswana . Further tributaries of the Molopo River include the Kuruman River , fed by the Moshaweng River and Kgokgole River , and the Matlhwaring River . Flowing west into the Atlantic, in Namaqualand , is the Buffels River and, further south, the Groen River . [citation needed ] Climate Windmills in Namaqualand, Northern Cape Mostly arid to semiarid, few areas in the province receive more than 400 mm (16 in) of rainfall per annum and the average annual rainfall over the province is 202 mm (8.0 in).[15] Rainfall generally increases from west to east from a minimum average of 20 mm (0.79 in) to a maximum of 540 mm (21 in) per year. The west experiences most rainfall in winter, while the east receives most of its moisture from late summer thunderstorms. Many areas experience extreme heat, with the hottest temperatures in South Africa measured along the Namibian border. Summers maximums are generally 30 °C (86 °F) or higher, sometimes higher than 40 °C (104 °F). Winters are usually frosty and clear, with southern areas sometimes becoming bitterly cold, such as Sutherland , which often receives snow and temperatures occasionally drop below the −10 °C (14 °F) mark. Kimberley averages: January maximum: 33 °C (91 °F) (min: 18 °C (64 °F)), June maximum: 18 °C (64 °F) (min: 3 °C (37 °F)), annual precipitation: 414 mm (16.3 in) Springbok averages: January maximum: 30 °C (86 °F) (min: 15 °C (59 °F)), July maximum: 17 °C (63 °F) (min: 7 °C (45 °F)), annual precipitation: 195 mm (7.7 in) Sutherland averages: January maximum: 27 °C (81 °F) (min: 9 °C (48 °F)), July maximum: 13 °C (55 °F) (min: −3 °C (27 °F)), annual precipitation: 237 mm (9.3 in) Municipalities Main article: List of municipalities in the Northern Cape Northern Cape districts and local municipalities Sign along R354 welcoming motorists into the Northern Cape from the Western Cape . The sign is in Afrikaans (top left), English (bottom left), Tswana (top right), and Xhosa (bottom right) The Northern Cape Province is divided into five district municipalities . The district municipalities are in turn divided into 27 local municipalities : District municipalities Frances Baard District Sol Plaatje Dikgatlong Magareng Phokwane John Taolo Gaetsewe District Moshaweng Ga-Segonyana Gamagara Namakwa District Richtersveld Nama Khoi Kamiesberg Hantam Karoo Hoogland Khâi-Ma Pixley ka Seme District Ubuntu Umsobomvu Emthanjeni Kareeberg Renosterberg Thembelihle Siyathemba Siyancuma ZF Mgcawu District (formerly Siyanda) Kai !Garib Dawid Kruiper !Kheis Tsantsabane Kgatelopele Cities and towns Main article: List of cities and towns in the Northern Cape Springbok viewed from the old cemetery Population 50,000+ Kimberley Upington Population 10,000+ Douglas Barkly West Colesberg De Aar Jan Kempdorp Kathu Kuruman Postmasburg Prieska Springbok Victoria West Warrenton Population < 10,000 Orania Carnarvon Garies Griekwastad Groblershoop Hartswater Keimoes Kakamas Pofadder Port Nolloth Strydenburg Sutherland Vanderkloof Economy See also: Economy of the Northern Cape As reported by the Northern Cape Provincial Government, unemployment still remains a big issue in the province. Unemployment was reported to be at 24.9% during Q4, 2013. Unemployment also declined from 119,000 in Q4, 2012 to 109,000 in Q4, 2013. The Northern Cape is also home to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which is located 75 km North-West of Carnarvon . The economy of the Northern Cape relies heavily on two sectors, mining and agriculture, which employ 57% (Tertiary Sector) of all employees in the province.[citation needed ] See also: Northern Cape wine Most famous for the diamond mines around Kimberley , it also has mining activities for Manganese and iron ore. The Northern Cape also has a substantial agricultural area around the Orange River , including most of South Africa's sultana vineyards. Some Wine of Origin areas have been demarcated. The Orange River also attracts visitors who enjoy rafting tours around Vioolsdrif . Extensive sheep raising is the basis of the economy in the southern Karoo areas of the province. BACK TO TOP

THE FREE STATE Free State (province) The Free State (Sotho : Freistata; Afrikaans : Vrystaat [ˈfrɛistɑːt] ; Xhosa : iFreyistata; Tswana : Foreistata; Zulu : iFuleyisitata), formerly known as the Orange Free State, is a province of South Africa . Its capital is Bloemfontein , which is also South Africa 's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Boer republic called the Orange Free State and later the Orange Free State Province . History Further information: Orange Free State The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans were abolished and reincorporated into South Africa. It is also the only one of the four original provinces of South Africa not to undergo border changes, apart from the reincorporation of Bantustans, and its borders date from before the outbreak of the Boer War . The Free State The Free State is one of the nine provinces of South Africa and is centrally located. It represents 10.6% of the total land area of the country. It boasts wide horizons, blue skies, mountains and goldfields. The province covers an area of 129 464 km2 and is roughly the size of Nicaragua. In 2011, the province had a population of 2.7 million with four district municipalities and one metropolitan municipality. The Free State is situated on the flat, boundless plains in the centre of South Africa. It borders most of the other provinces, the exceptions being Limpopo and the Western Cape. To the east, it has an international boundary with Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its beanlike shape, and the escarpment separates it from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The Orange and Vaal rivers form the southern, western and most of the northern border and the last section of the north-eastern boundary is formed by the Klip River. The western part of the Free State consists of plains, with pans as primary hydrological feature. The eastern part is mountainous. The Maluti Mountains along the border are connected to the Drakensberg on the border with KwaZulu-Natal. The province consists mainly of grasslands with some Karoo vegetation in the south. Climate Almost uniformly at about 1,300m above sea level, the Free State climate is typical of the interior plateau with rain falling in summer, cold winters and lots of sunshine. Almost all precipitation falls in the summer months, with aridity increasing towards the west. Frost occurs throughout the region usually from May to early September in the west and up to early October in the east. To the north, the Vaal irrigation area nourishes the small assortment of farming towns below it, and the hue of the Free State countryside is often green. Areas in the east experience frequent snowfalls in winter, especially on the higher ranges, whilst the west can be extremely hot in summer. The south brings hot, dry summer days and long, cold winter nights. This semi-desert area also brings fluctuations of temperature from day to night. The west is warm and cold in equal measure, its inhabitants making use of the many man-made water recreation facilities to endure the heat as much as using heating facilities in winter’s low temperatures. Regions The Fezile Dabi District is an important agricultural production area, mainly maize. The Vaal Dam is the main source of water and offers a wide variety of leisure facilities. Other attractions include the Vredefort Dome, which is the third largest meteorite site in the world, and San paintings. Sasolburg is the location of the country’s largest chemical and synthetic fuel plant. The Lejweleputswa District boasts goldfields and it is a major agricultural area. The district forms part of the larger Witwatersrand basin. The first gold was discovered in the early 1940s. Bothaville is one of the important maize centres in the country. The annual National Maize Production Organisation festival attracts more than 70 000 visitors and is the second largest private show in the world. The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality contains the largest population and comprises mainly of open grassland, with mountains in the most eastern region. The main urban centre is Bloemfontein. The city is the trade and administrative hub of the Free State and boasts the provincial government and the seat of the Appeal Court of South Africa. It also has a rich history, which includes the establishment of the African National Congress in 1912 and the National Party in 1914. The Thabo Mofutsanyana District borders Lesotho to the east and has beautiful hills and fruit farms. The district is one of the most important tourism destinations due to spectacular scenic beauty of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges. Other attractions include the Golden Gate Highland Park, the annual cherry festival at Ficksburg, a Basotho cultural village in Maluti-a-Phofung, and Khoisan rock paintings. The Xhariep District is located in the south-west of the province and is a semi-arid area with extensive farming, mainly sheep. The district comprises open grasslands with small wide dispersed towns. The Xhariep Dam is one of the tourists’ attractions. It offers a variety of leisure facilities. Tourism The Free State lies at the heart of the country. The province disposes of inter alia 14 nature reserves with varying facilities; four large holiday resorts; 12 state dams with banks totalling some 760 km; numerous sports and outdoor opportunities; nine restored battlefields; some 12 000 tourist beds and a booming guesthouse industry. Each region offers its own unique tourism attractions; Mangaung Phillip Sanders and Maselspoort resorts near Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens, Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve Bloemfontein Zoo National Museum – huge collection of fossils and archaeological discoveries Women’s Memorial Monument Anglo-Boer War Museum SA Military Museum Freshford House Museum Waaihoek precinct, founding venue of the ANC Digareteneng (Place of curtains), built to coincide with the visit of King George V in 1952 Maphikela House has been declared as a national monument and named after Mr Thomas Maphikela who was the first Secretary-General of the ANC Dr Sebe James Moroka House historical site (Thaba Nchu) Sand Du Plessis Theatre Loch Logan Waterfront Mimosa Mall Shopping Complex Oliewenhuis Art Gallery President Brand Street -housing inter alia Appeal Court, Free State Legislature, Gen. CR de Wet Statue, City Hall, Afrikaans Literature Museum Fezile Dabi District Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, declared a heritage site by UNESCO in 2005, came about in a matter of minutes an estimated 2 billion years ago when an asteroid that hit the earth, with the resultant rock formation today mainly between Parys, Vredefort and an adjacent part of North West Province spanning some 10 km in diameter. As such it is the largest known impact structure on earth. Eco-tourism at the Ghoya Africa conservancy situated on the R34 ± 12 km south of Heilbron en route to Edenville and the Francolin Creek Conservancy situated approximately 30 km east of Heilbron Two luxurious golf estates, private game ranches and nature reserves in the Parys region Deneysville at the Vaal Dam, hosts the biggest annual inland regatta, the Round the Island Race – on the 300 km² sprawling Vaal Dam. Lejweleputswa District Aventura Aldam Holiday Resort and Willem Pretorius Game Reserve NAMPO Harvest Farm near Bothaville Golden Arts & Crafts Scramble at Hennenman and Virginia Aco tractor factory near Hoopstad Voortrekker Monument at Winburg Gold Museum in the Welkom Library Underground mine tours Phakisa Racetrack Folk Dancing Monument at Boshof Thabo Mofutsanyane District Golden Gate National Highlands Park near Bethlehem Basotho Cultural Village at QwaQwa Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near Memel constitutes a wetland with RAMSAR status is a bird-watching mecca Wolhuterskop Nature Reserve in Bethlehem Sterkfontein Dam Titanic Rock at the northern entrance of Clarens Bushman rock art at 27 farms near Fouriesburg Korannaberg Hiking Trail at Excelsior Mountain bike trails at Marquard Claerhout Art Gallery at Tweespruit Cherry Festival annually in November at Ficksburg Xhariep District Gariep Dam and resort Annual Equestrian Endurance event at Fauresmith Railroad tracks running through the centre of Fauresmith Landzicht Wine Cellar at Jacobsdal Open Mine Museum and mining hole at Jagersfontein Open Mine Museum at Koffiefontein Transgariep Museum and Laurens van der Post Memorial at Philippolis The ‘Little Gallery’ at Smithfield Gariep Dam The ‘Eye’ of Zastron DH Steyn bridge near Bethulie The Free State (Sotho : Freistata; Afrikaans : Vrystaat [ˈfrɛistɑːt] ; Xhosa : iFreyistata; Tswana : Foreistata; Zulu : iFuleyisitata), formerly known as the Orange Free State, is a province of South Africa . Its capital is Bloemfontein , which is also South Africa 's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Boer republic called the Orange Free State and later the Orange Free State Province . History Further information: Orange Free State The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans were abolished and reincorporated into South Africa. It is also the only one of the four original provinces of South Africa not to undergo border changes, apart from the reincorporation of Bantustans, and its borders date from before the outbreak of the Boer War . Law and government See also: Executive Council of the Free State The provincial government consists of a premier, an executive council of ten ministers, and a legislature. The provincial assembly and premier are elected for five-year terms, or until the next national election. Political parties are awarded assembly seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives in the province during the national elections. The assembly elects a premier, who then appoints the members of the executive council. The provincial legislature meets at the Vierde Raadsaal in Bloemfontein . As of February 2023 the premier of Free State is Mxolisi Dukwana of the African National Congress (ANC).[8] Geography Cornelia in the Riemland region The Free State is situated on a succession of flat grassy plains sprinkled with pastureland, resting on a general elevation of 3,800 feet only broken by the occasional hill or kopje . The rich soil and pleasant climate allow for a thriving agricultural industry. The province is high-lying, with almost all land being 1,000 metres above sea level. The Drakensberg and Maloti Mountains foothills raise the terrain to over 2,000 m in the east. The Free State lies in the heart of the Karoo Sequence of rocks, containing shales , mudstones , sandstones and the Drakensberg Basalt forming the youngest capping rocks. Mineral deposits are plentiful, with gold and diamonds being of particular importance, mostly found in the north and west of the province. Fauna and flora The flats in the south of the reserve provide ideal conditions for large herds of plain game such as black wildebeest and springbok . The ridges, koppies and plains typical of the northern section are home to kudu , red hartebeest , southern white rhinoceros and buffalo . The Southern African wildcat , black wildebeest , zebra , eland , white rhinoceros and wild dog can be seen at the Soetdoring Nature Reserve near Bloemfontein . The South African cheetahs were reintroduced in the Free State for the first time in June 2013 after a hundred years of regional extinction, at Laohu Valley Reserve near Philippolis .[9] Following the reintroduction of an adult female South African cheetah in early 2016, three wild cheetah cubs were born for the first time in Laohu Valley Reserve in February 2017, making the three new cubs the first cheetahs born in the wild since their disappearance from the Free State province in over a century. Climate The Free State experiences a continental climate , characterised by warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Areas in the east experience frequent snowfalls, especially on the higher ranges, whilst the west can be extremely hot in summer. Almost all precipitation falls in the summer months as brief afternoon thunderstorms , with aridity increasing towards the west. Areas in the east around Harrismith , Bethlehem and Ficksburg are well watered. The capital, Bloemfontein , experiences hot, moist summers and cold, dry winters frequented by severe frost. Bloemfontein averages: January maximum: 31 °C (min: 15 °C), July maximum: 17 °C (min: -2 °C), annual precipitation: 559 mm Bethlehem averages: January maximum: 27 °C (min: 13 °C), July maximum: 16 °C (min: -2 °C), annual precipitation: 680 mm Borders Mafahlaneng township at Tweeling In the southeast, the Free State borders seven districts of Lesotho : Mokhotlong – farthest to the east Butha-Buthe – northwest of Mokhotlong and northeast of Leribe Leribe – southwest of Butha-Buthe and northeast of Berea Berea – southwest of Leribe and north of Maseru Maseru – south of Berea and northeast of Mafeteng Mafeteng – southwest of Maseru and northwest of Mohale's Hoek Mohale's Hoek – southeast of Mafeteng Domestically, it borders the following provinces: KwaZulu-Natal – east Eastern Cape – south Northern Cape – west North West – northwest Gauteng – north Mpumalanga – northeast The Free State borders more districts of Lesotho and more provinces of South Africa than any other province. It is traversed by the northwesterly line of equal latitude and longitude. Municipalities Main article: List of municipalities in the Free State Free State districts and local municipalities The Free State Province is divided into one metropolitan municipality and four district municipalities . The district municipalities are in turn divided into 19 local municipalities : Metropolitan municipalities Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality District municipalities Fezile Dabi District Moqhaka Ngwathe Metsimaholo Mafube Thabo Mofutsanyana District Setsoto Dihlabeng Maluti-a-Phofung Nketoana Phumelela Mantsopa Lejweleputswa District Masilonyana Tokologo Tswelopele Matjhabeng Nala Xhariep District Letsemeng Kopanong Mohokare Major cities and towns See also: List of cities and towns in the Free State The Free State's major towns include: Bloemfontein & Botshabelo in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Welkom , Odendaalsrus and Virginia in Lejweleputswa Bethlehem , Harrismith and Phuthaditjhaba in Thabo Mofutsanyana Kroonstad , Sasolburg and Parys in Fezile Dabi Health The Free State is the only province in South Africa that operates a free 24-hour dedicated rotor-wing aeromedical service from a public hospital. They are able to reach far-flung areas in only 45 minutes and deliver a high level of care on scene. On 31 October 2018, Free State Emergency Medical Service launched an additional 65 road ambulances to augment the fleet. The Free State has many public and private hospitals. Economy The province is the granary of South Africa, with agriculture central to its economy, while mining on the rich goldfields reef is its largest employer. Agriculture Cattle grazing near Winburg Agriculture dominates the Free State landscape, with cultivated land covering 32,000 square kilometres, and natural veld and grazing a further 87,000 square kilometres of the province. It is also South Africa's leader in the production of biofuels, or fuel from agricultural crops, with a number of ethanol plants under construction in the grain-producing western region. South Africa is one of the top ten Maize producers in the world (12,365,000 tons as of 2013). Field crops yield almost two-thirds of the gross agricultural income of the province. Animal products contribute a further 30%, with the balance generated by horticulture. Ninety percent of the country's cherry crop is produced in the Ficksburg district, which is also home to the country's two largest asparagus canning factories. Soya, sorghum, sunflowers and wheat are cultivated in the eastern Free State, where farmers specialise in seed production. About 40% of the country's potato yield comes from the province's high-lying areas. The main vegetable crop is asparagus, both white and green varieties. Although horticulture is expanding and becoming increasingly export-orientated, most produce leaves the province unprocessed. The Free State's advantage in floriculture is the opposing seasons of the southern and northern hemispheres. Mining The Free State is also rich in mineral wealth, gold representing 20% of the world's total gold production. Mining is the province's major employer. The province has 12 gold mines, producing 30% of South Africa's output and making it the fifth-largest producer of gold in the world. The Harmony Gold Refinery and Rand Refinery are the only two gold refineries in South Africa. Gold mines in the Free State also supply a substantial portion of the total silver produced in the country, while considerable concentrations of uranium occurring in the gold-bearing conglomerates of the goldfields are extracted as a byproduct. Bituminous coal is also mined, and converted to petrochemicals at Sasolburg. The Free State also produces high-quality diamonds from its kimberlite pipes and fissures, and the country's largest deposit of bentonite is found in the Koppies district. Industry Since 1989, the Free State economy has moved from dependence on primary sectors such as mining and agriculture to an economy increasingly oriented towards manufacturing and export. Some 14% of the province's manufacturing is classified as being in high-technology industries – the highest of all provincial economies. The northern Free State's chemicals sector is one of the most important in the southern hemisphere. Petrochemicals company Sasol , based in the town of Sasolburg , is a world leader in the production of fuels, waxes, chemicals and low-cost feedstock from coal. Tourism On top of Koranaberg In the northeastern Free State, nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti mountains, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the province's prime tourist attraction. The park gets its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the spectacular sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag or Sentinel Rock, which keeps vigil over the park. Brandwag (The Sentinel) The sandstone of this region has been used for the lovely dressed-stone buildings found on the Eastern Highlands, while decoratively painted Sotho houses dot the grasslands. Some of South Africa's most valued San (Bushman) rock art is found in the Free State, particularly in the regions around Clarens , Bethlehem , Ficksburg , Ladybrand and Wepener . Sesotho is the dominant home language in most of the province. Zulu is the major language in the far eastern municipality of Phumelela . Setswana is the main language in Tokologo in the northwest, and in and around the area of Thaba Nchu . The Free State is the only province in South Africa with a Sesotho majority. Afrikaans is widely spoken throughout the province, as a first language for the majority of whites and coloureds (who constitute a minority) and as a second or third language by Sesotho, Setswana and Xhosa speakers. Although there are relatively few native English speakers, English is becoming increasingly important as the language of business and government. This is evidenced by the shift of tertiary institutions such as the University of the Free State from solely using Afrikaans as the medium of instruction to using both Afrikaans and English. Ethnicity The majority of the population are black Africans who speak Sotho as a first language. The vast majority of white people in the Free State are Afrikaans-speaking. In 1880 the white population made up 45.7% of the total population. In 1904 this had fallen to 36.8%.[11] Of the 142,679 people in 1904, only 60% were born in the province. Of the 2,726 European immigrants born in non-British states, 1,025 came from the Russian Empire , mainly Jews . In 1904 whites made up a majority in most settlements, namely Ficksburg (52.3%), Wepener (60.2%), Ladybrand (60.0%), and Kroonstad (51.6%), and made up a substantial minority in Bloemfontein (45.7%) and Winburg (36.3%). Education Universities University of the Free State (Bloemfontein , Phuthaditjhaba ) Central University of Technology (Bloemfontein , Welkom ) Other educational institutions Akademia (Bloemfontein ) Boston City Campus (Bloemfontein ) Damelin (Bloemfontein ) Flavius Mareka FET College (Kroonstad , Mphohardi , Sasolburg ) Goldfields FET College (Welkom , Tosa ) Maluti TVET College (QwaQwa , Bethlehem , Harrismith ) Motheo TVET College (Bloemfontein , Botshabelo , Thaba nchu , Koffiefontein ) Qualitas Career Academy (Bloemfontein ) Media Newspapers Die Volksblad (Bloemfontein ) Bloem news (Bloemfontein ) Bloemfontein Courant Dumelang News (The People's Paper ) Express-News (Bloemfontein , Botshabelo , Thaba Nchu ) Free State Times Vista Newspaper (Welkom ) VrystaatKroon Radio OFM Lesedi FM Motheo FM Radio Rosestad 100.6 FM Kovsie FM CUT FM 104.1 MedFM BACK TO TOP

Southernstar-Africa School Projects Work With Us Looking to promote your brand or destination to an audience of well-traveled families? See if we might be a good fit. Who We Are Welcome to Full Suitcase! We are a South African family , discovering the world’s most amazing destinations one trip at a time. Through our travel stories and captivating images on our travel Website as well as a school project for children around the world, we inspire others to travel more, discover new places, take their kids along, and make the most of every single trip! We take our kids to the most incredible places in South Africa , and prove that pretty much any destination can be visited by families with kids of any age. Our audience appreciates and trusts travel tips based on our first-hand experience. We get daily feedback from our readers who tell us that our Website inspires them to visit new places and helps them with the practical side of planning the trip. Why Work With Us Our goal is to create win-win relationships! We offer multiple ways to reach a valuable audience of well-traveled people looking for travel inspiration and destination information. Our readers relate to our first-hand experiences, value our credibility, and book their trips based on our recommendations. If your destination is a good fit with our blog and travel style, we will be happy to showcase it with an engaging review, coupled with professional-quality photography, and lots of practical tips to help people make a similar trip of their own. We will publish high-quality timeless content that will continue to attract readers over a long period of time. In addition, we can provide social media coverage via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter- X, and Pinterest. Our Audience Our Website reaches a very large international audience of millions of readers each year. In addition, we have a strong presence on all major social media. Most of our readers come from the USA. The other half is from the UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia, but also India, Singapore, and pretty much all over the world. Interested to know more details? Contact us by email a.dezius@gmail.com and we can further discuss how we can work together! Our Website : riseingsouthernstar-africa ,has been visited from all over the World PAGE VIEWS ; 79;518 FLAG COUNTRY VISITED : 175 View More Discover the rich and diverse history of South Africa with Southernstar-Africa School Projects. Learn about the lives of influential figures such as Jan van Riebeeck, Paul Kruger, and Nelson Mandela. Our team is dedicated to sharing our knowledge and passion for South African history with students from around the world. At Southernstar-Africa, we believe that education is the key to understanding and appreciating our history. Our team consists of experienced educators and historians who are committed to making learning fun and engaging. Join us on a journey through time and discover the people who shaped South Africa's rich history. Featured Featured In Our Partners Welcome to our partners page! We are thrilled to have you here. At [company name], we believe in building strong partnerships that benefit both parties. We are always looking for new partners to join us and grow together. Explore our website to learn more about our partnership opportunities and how we can work together. Contact Get in Touch a.dezius@gmai.com Or fill out the form below First Name Email Last Name Phone Message Submit Thank you for contacting us! BACK TO TOP