By Alfred Stallion
South Africa is one of the most beautiful parts of the world; it has a vibrant, rich history and cities which are full of culture, which buzz with life. It is also home to some of the most magnificent natural wonders on Earth and should appear on everyone’s list of places to visit at least once in their lifetime. Traveling to Africa is a memorable experience; you’ll be astounded by the cultural variety, abundant wildlife and array of adventurous activities.
South Africa
Table Mountain
South Africa is famous as being the home of Table Mountain; it sits behind Cape Town and provides a magnificent backdrop to anyone arriving by boat. Cape Town itself has beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise seas. There is an abundance of wildlife in the water around the Southernmost Tip of Africa; you can see sharks, whales and even giant turtles; which mate every year on the beach just outside Cape Town.
Walk to the top of Table Mountain and you will experience an outstanding view of the city below, stretching to the sea and on, across the horizon. On the other side are the wide open plains where you can take a safari and see many of the ‘Big Five’ animals; lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinoceros and leopards. You can even take the cable car to really appreciate the views, and after exploring the city for an entire day, check into one of the many self catering villas in Cape Town. Enjoy the relaxing vibe and recharge your powers for the next day. There’s a lot more to the African continent than meets the eye.
Bylde River Canyon
This canyon is on the eastern side of South Africa and is one of the largest in the world. It is made up of huge sandstone cliffs which are covered in a wide variety of lush green vegetation. It is a truly amazing view as the green canyon goes on for miles into the distance. In the wet season the Bylde River canyon also becomes home to several spectacular waterfalls and is a year round hiking destination. It is on the way to the famous Kruger National Park and can be appreciated from a variety of locations in the park.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
This area is home to some of the largest sand dunes in the world. It is located in Namibia which is just above South Africa on the south western coast of Africa. The sand has a bright red, almost orange color which is a result of the high quantities of iron in the sand. In fact the color of the sand appears to change at sunrise and sunset and the whole landscape takes on an alien feel. Exploring Sossusvlei and Deadvlei will be a surreal, yet wonderful experience. The dunes cover about seventy kilometers and are home to springbok, gemsbok and even ostriches. The two regions are also home to the Acacia which have roots stretching down eighty meters to get the necessary water! Those which cannot access water dry out. However, the extreme heat stops them decaying, making an impressive yet eerie sight.
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls are located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, which is north of South Africa and heading for the middle of the African continent. The falls are the largest in the world thanks to a height of 108 meters and a staggering width of 1708 meters. The spray will soak you when you get near! It can be approached from Zambia where you will get the best view of the gorge whilst Zimbabwe has a better view of the entire waterfall.
Okavango Delta
This area is made up of thousands of small islands which are separated by narrow canals. It is recognized as one of the world’s largest inland delta systems and even has its own ecosystem! This is particularly impressive as it is located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. It is a stunning beautiful spot and home to an abundance of wildlife; which can be witnessed next to your tent or luxury lodge as you become at one with nature.
Africa is a spectacular place to explore. It packs a varied fauna and flora, amazing people and a wealth of attractions you can’t miss out. Plan a relaxing holiday and have a closer look at its surreal natural wonders.
Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/
Alfred Stallion
Author: Alfred Stallion
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