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The best guide to South Africa, packed with essentials Gorgeous beaches, glorious spring wildflowers, awesome mountain hikes, and heart-stopping wildlife encounters African crafts, picturesque wine routes, day- and nighttime township tours, Cape Dutch colonial architecture Where to stay and eat, no matter what your budget Out of Africalodges, Winelands B&Bs, duneside chalets, mountain resorts, wilderness camps, even a fantasy palace Country bistros, curry shops, tea terraces, African-food cafes, braais (barbecues) by the sea, an oyster-tasting tavern Fresh, thorough, practical--from writers you can trust Costs, hours, descriptions, and tips by the thousands All reviews based on visits by savvy writer-residents 25 pages of maps--and dozens of unique features Important Contacts A to Z; Smart Travel Tips; Fodor's Choice; What's Where; Pleasures & Pastimes; don't-miss activities; festivals; further reading, videos to watch; complete index; and more!

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Pleasures and Pastimes

Beaches
South Africa has some of the finest beaches on earth -- literally hundreds of miles of golden sands, often without a soul on them. The surf is big, though, and dangerous undertows and side washes are common. Beaches in major cities have lifeguards, and helicopters periodically patrol the coastline. Cape Town and the entire Western Cape have glorious beaches, but the water is extremely cold year-round, and wind can be a problem. The water is warmer along the Garden Route, with the best swimming beaches found Plettenberg Bay. Around Durban and the resorts of KwaZulu-Natal, the water is ideal for swimming, but keep and eye out for the stinging Portuguese man-of-war (bluebottle), particularly when the wind is coming from the east. All major resort beaches in KwaZulu-Natal are protected by shark nets. For truly deserted beaches and warm water, head to Rocktail Bay Lodge in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal.

Bird-Watching
Bring your binoculars if you like birds, because South Africa ranks as one of the finest bird-watching destinations on the planet. Kruger National Park alone has recorded more than 500 different bird species, many of breathtaking beauty. The best time for bird-watching is October-April, when migrants are in residence.

Canoeing and White-Water Rafting
The world's most incredible one-day white-water rafting trip is on the Zambezi River, through the gorges below Victoria Falls. It's an adventure you won't soon forget, and no prior experience is necessary. Another great trip is canoeing on the Zambezi above the Falls, where the river is wide and sluggish, dotted with islands on which hippos and elephants feed.

Cricket
White South Africans are crazy about it -- during international matches, you'll often find crowds gathered in front of the windows of electronics stores watching the action. These international competitions, known as test matches, are played against England and former colonies like India, West Indies, and Australia, and a one-day test match is as riveting as anything baseball can produce. The longer five-day test matches involve subtle nuances of strategy that will confound -- and probably bore -- anyone not born to the game. South Africa's various provinces also compete against each other in the annual Castle Cup competition. A major push is under way to introduce cricket into black communities, but it remains an essentially white sport.

Dining
South Africa won't unseat France anytime soon from its culinary throne. But there are three bright spots you should keep in mind. The first is the abundance of fresh seafood, from plump Knysna oysters to enormous Mozambiquean prawns to the Cape's own magnificent clawless lobsters, known as crayfish. The second is the country's love affair with Indian cuisine, first brought to South Africa by Indian laborers in the 19th century. Samoosas and curries appear on almost every menu, and the fast food choice in Durban is bunny chow, a curry-filled loaf of bread.

Excerpted from South Africa: The Complete Guide to the Game Parks, Cities, Winelands, and Beaches Plus Victoria Falls by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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Fodor's South Africa

Fodor's South Africa

0679030905

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