Africa Travel Guides

Archive for the ‘South Africa’ Category

Turkmenistan is a country washed by the Caspian Sea and Iran’s neighbor, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, a territory that is sometimes known as the “Central Asian North Korea” because of its international isolation, especially after 20 years under a dictatorial regime (the Niyazov) that has left an outside door devalued image: it is in list of world’s most closed countries.

Turkmenistan is mostly desert, but its capital city Ashgabat, might be surprised by its “thriving” in their administrative area and government: it is one of the most remarkable urban farce in recent times. The reason for a supposed urban oasis of luxury and notable buildings in the middle of a desert land is to be found under: Turkmenistan is the fifth holder of natural gas reserves in the world’s largest, a resource that has allowed his dictatorial hold on time and consolidate false appearances, while 60% of the population lives below the remains pobreza.Turkmenistán classified by the United Nations Organization as one of the most repressive and dictatorial states in the international system. Its capital, is a sign of how much of the profits from natural resources were spent to beautify town planning by a leader with the criterion of a pharaoh. In an exaggerated show of worship resources and its former leader, golden statues abound with the dictator, monuments and government buildings ambitious by other pretentious

The Drakensberg Mountains are the highest of all South Africa and also the best known. Its name means “dragon mountain” and is home to all kinds of landscapes, meadows, peaks and an incredible variety of sports and tours in the surrounding area.

For those who enjoy mountain activities, the peaks of the Drakensberg mountains are part of the world’s most spectacular sporting activities. Once we got there, we can practice climbing, climb ropes, and walks will be accompanied by tour guides.

Camping and rest in the mountains, it is recommended that at the first stop because there is less cold. Although the temperatures over 30 degrees during the day, evening drop to reach 10 degrees below zero, with one of the world’s largest thermal amplitudes, so it is always advisable to travel in summer and camping in the off areas not to suffer the harsh climate.

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Robben Island is one of the most ideal spots in the world and one of the most visited in South Africa. It is a small island that is home to clear beaches, picturesque meadows and a perfect view of Table Mountain, the largest in the country. On the island there are activities for every taste and an incredible range of possibilities to stay, eat and enjoy an unforgettable vacation.

As in the past the island was used to house prisoners and the sick, has a large prison now uninhabited marking its sparse population and its slow development. The vicinity of the prison can be visited during the year, especially since we find reminders when Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, something that we talk very often the inhabitants of the island

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South Africa is a country with unparalleled tourist attractions, which this year will be enhanced by hosting the World Cup. Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy the sporting event, but also to discover its beauty.

South Africa has a varied geography, rich culture and wildlife ideal for adventure lovers. With a territory that has thousands of kilometers of coastline and mountains and a climate conducive to outdoor activities. Their natural surroundings make it inevitable destination for those who like extreme sports of all kinds. In this sense has operators especially dedicated to assisting the tourists in this regard, with guides and climbing courses, surfing, diving, hiking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting and more. With huge cliff climbing, kloofing in South Africa (as it is known to canyoning, hundreds of hundreds of launch sites for paragliding, hang gliding, and similar activities less popular.

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Among the most typical dishes of African country, topping the list are the “bobotie” meat, vegetables, rice and various spices, the South African barbecue or “braaivleis”, lamb, chicken, fish and seafood.

If you are in South Africa and want to opt for cooking “at home”, you can go to supermarkets, where there are high quality products, with standards, they say, similar or even superior to European parameters.

And if not, the holiday time is the right to visit the different places that offer culinary destinations you visit. In South Africa, for instance, more precisely in Cape Town, the best local restaurant offers a tasting menu of five dishes from the chef steps for a price of around a hundred dollars and that includes wine included. For those with a smaller budget, there are places where lunch can be worth $ 12.

Among South Africa’s main dishes include “bobotie, one of the most typical dishes of the country, made on a base of meat, vegetables, enough rice and various spices. Also the grill or braaivleis “, inspired by the traditional grille in Argentina, but with a lot more seasoning.

Then, too, lamb, chicken, fish and seafood, are very good quality and the most requested dishes from the menu offered. To accompany the food, South African wines are of excellent quality and very affordable prices: A bottle may be worth ten dollars in a restaurant.

The region around the Cape, South Africa is beautiful, the cities compete with each other in magnificence and majesty. If you do not have time to see everything, because it unfortunately make a choice, whether you want to walk in the Swiss countryside or the Vosges or French roots back to Franschhoek.

Stellenbosch is a nice town or Hollandaise Cape architecture is well represented. The downtown is alive and the wine region around one of the most beautiful. This is a city worth visiting for its historic sites (Netherlands, Georgian, Victorian), for its atmosphere, for its student nightlife, a little more lively than elsewhere.

Paarl, on the banks of the Breede, is much less interesting, there are not so nice houses. Sites to see are less accessible and the atmosphere of the city is quiet and somewhat deserted. Read the rest of this entry »

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and populated with a number of people close to 4 million.

As you will see in Section Map South Africa, Johannesburg is located in north central South Africa, near Pretoria, the administrative capital of the country.

Because of the importance Johannesburg, many people erroneously think that this city is the capital of South Africa. However, this is false for two reasons: first, because South Africa has no capital, but three. Second, because Johannesburg is not even part of the three capitals (see map of South Africa).

Johannesburg is undoubtedly one of the cities busiest tourists, commercial and social development of South Africa. Johannesburg is a great trade in gold and diamonds, enhanced by the location of this town in the hilly area of the Witwatersrand, very rich in these minerals. Read the rest of this entry »

Aragon Zai-photographer and adventurer, has taken a trip of a month touring South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia and we resolve the main concerns of a trip like this: What I carry in my backpack?

Let happened to his words to enlighten us:

Experience has shown me that not very full backpack bring you more prepared for the trip, but quite the opposite: the more weight and more packages useless, unless you move, and that is not what we want in a trip, do yes?

A breakdown below my baggage that I carried in my backpack for a month to travel to Africa, even though the same material can be used for any journey that is made somewhere with warm weather.

My pack the filling:

- A band-aid kit, mini scissors, gauze, iodine, antihistamines and serum for dehydration.

- Clothing: four shirts, two pants, two shorts, a sweatshirt, a bikini, underwear, sneakers and two pairs of flip flops.

- Cap or hat.

- Special travel towel: they are very light and dry quickly.

- Alarm Clock.

- Travel Guide and a book about the area for inspiration.

- Mini-bar bag to get a sandwich and energy bars or other snack.

- A knife. Very useful for peeling fruit and many other things (if you are flying do not forget to check the backpack) Read the rest of this entry »