Advantages: Spectacular scenery, friendly people always willing to help, great value for money!
Disadvantages: Ongoing worries about crime, other than that perhaps sunburn.

...Being South African born and bred, and having travelled through much of Europe this year, I now feel compelled to convince the whole of Ciao to visit good old South Africa. I recently went back for a short visit, and was once again convinced that I will eventually end up back there. Wide open spaces, wonderful sunshine for at least 9 months a year and some of the most beautiful scenery you are ever likely to find. All this made me realise that the Tourism Board’s slogan of “A World in One Country” has never been more true. A short history: South Africa’s ethnic population has been around for many hundreds of years. There is still today a rich mixture of tribes and different cultures, but sadly they are becoming more westernised. South Africa was first colonised by the Dutch in roughly 1651, to be used... Read review

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Advantages: Great Scenic views on the tour
Disadvantages: Can be hot, humid and sticky...

...Day One: Morning arrival 09.35 on SAA221 flight at Cape Town International Airport. Transfer to The Bay Hotel for the next six nights. Day Two: Day at leisure to explore the magnificent features of Cape Town, for the treasures in diamonds and gold jewellery. Day Three: Visit “Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden” to explore Van Riebeeck's Hedge and Peninsula garden, with many other features from around the world for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora. Lunch is served in the gardens from The Ritz Tea House. Day Four: Visit the “South Africa Jewish Museum” to explore the social, intellectual, and cultural contributions made by South Africa's Jewish community. Then visit “Telkom Exploratorium” where technology and the science of telecommunications becomes... Read review

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Advantages: superb setting, great food, easy access, private (max. 18 people)
Disadvantages: I haven't found any yet, but read the guide I have written below for some possible problem areas.

...with the meals and for the day excursions, and, to allow yourself to travel light a free laundry service 7 days a week, same day return. Last year the Chef was German and the food was superb. Requirements such as Vegetarian and so on can all be coped with. The staff are magic. They have staff who are experts on trees and flowers, birds, small and large wildlife, as well as an extensive knowledge of the fishing. You can laze around the lodge - take a look at the pictures, they do not exaggerate - or indulge in one of many excursions. These include a guided walk on the island taking in over 25 different species of trees and the famous 2000 year old Baobob tree (which you can climb if you are adventurous, it was a look out post for the South African Army when they were on the Island, and the view is over 50 km in each direction!!), and a "shooting... Read review

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Advantages: It is beautiful, lots of things to do and see, good tourist facilities for both families and travellers, this place is amazing all round!
Disadvantages: Some areas can be very dangerous - but then most countries do

.... - Do not stop for very long at the poorer areas – you will see loads of these small shed-like houses – these are particularly bad at night. - Protect yourself from the sun as it is very strong. I don’t want to sound like this place is extremely dangerous; most places aren’t bad at all just some areas. If you use common sense you will be fine. THINGS YOU NEED - Camera - Loads and Loads of film – I took loads and still bought more! - Loads of sun cream – the sun rays are very strong - Money – Everything is so cheap out here, will say more later - Loads of light clothes, it is so hot it is unbelievable! - To book yourself on a safari – I saw a leopard and most people who live there have never seen one! - A car to travel in – there is so much to see! AIRPORTS The airports in South Africa are generally excellent... Read review

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Advantages: innexpensive costs when in South Africa, very good weather
Disadvantages: none

...South africa, is a vast country made up of nine provinces. Giving the amount of time it would take to visit all of South Africa, i have given you a general view of each of the provinces to give you a taster of them. THE WESTERN CAPE - the most popular area of the country, it is also the most beautiful of the 9 provinces. Capetown, Table Mountain and the Whale coast are just 3 of the many reasons to visit. THE EASTERN CAPE - with it's thousand kilometres of undeveloped beaches alone justifying a visit. Port Elizabeth is the commercial centre of the province, and is normally the starting or ending point for a trip along the garden route. THE NORTHERN CAPE - the largest province which comprises a third of South Africa's land mass. The area is dominated by heat, empty space and huge travelling distances. KWAZULU NATAL... Read review

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Advantages: A beautiful country with superb scenery, unlike any other
Disadvantages: You have to be safety consciuos

...South Africa has everything, a warm tropical climate, mountains, beaches and of course game farms. There is so much to do that no matter how long you spend there, you will never get to see everything you would like to. South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation due to it's cultural diversity and has a population of 39 million people. The Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the continent and is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world. The best time of year to travel is April and May when the hottest time of year has passed and winds are light, as well as August and September for the game parks. More wildlife is seen during this period as the leaves are only just starting to grow back on the trees and wildlife is easily spotted. Temperatures before April and after September often... Read review

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Advantages: Ideal base in Windhoek, very easy access to the centre of town, lovely chalets and friendly service. Campsites can be dusty, but plenty of shade.
Disadvantages: Busy road outside the gates, but you can't have everything!

...South of the city, but within easy distance to the centre of Windhoek, this charming travel lodge is an ideal base for both families and independent travellers. We much preferred here to anywhere in the centre of town, mainly due to being able to come through the manned gates and shut ourselves away in our lovely chalet. These are clean, spacious and quiet, the kitchens are moderate, but the showers are a godsend. And a double bed goes down a treat after weeks of camping! The staff are friendly and professional in reception and the restaurant . Be patient with Namibian time however - it's far slower than anywhere back in the UK and anyway, why rush in a country of such awesome landscapes - things will get done and happen....eventually! I have also camped here and found the sites lovely, as anywhere in Namibia they can get... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent value for money, wonderful food and wines, friendly people, marvellous weather. Lots of good hotels and guesthouses.
Disadvantages: Long flight from UK (11 hours). Some areas to be avoided because of high crime rates.

...Why did we go? My wife and I have had some very enjoyable holidays in various parts of the world but we had never been to South Africa. I suppose we were a bit concerned about safety because of reports we had seen in the press about high crime rates and violence. However, last Christmas we met an old friend who had “discovered” South Africa a few years ago and now goes there for a holiday every year, usually in January, to escape the worst of the UK winter. He assured us that South Africa was just as safe for tourists as many other places, provided that you follow a few common sense rules. We decided to give it a try and booked a 2-week holiday there for November this year. We chose November as this is the early summer down there and we reckoned it would not be too hot or too crowded at that time of the year. After... Read review

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Advantages: Worlds greatest tournament
Disadvantages: Are you crazy?

...South Africa recently hosted their English counterparts in a friendly game in Johannesburg to launch their 2010 World Cup bid campaign. Though they lost 1-2 to England, they achieved their aim of successfully launching their bid in a professional manner unlike Nigeria whom I will come back to. They made sure that a clause was inserted in their contract with England, which guaranteed that the most famous footballer in the world – David Beckham – was part of the trip. Even the Great Nelson Mandela arranged to meet Beckham and some of his team mates, although some of them chose not to attend. But for those who attended including David Beckham it was an experience of a lifetime. Back to South Africa’s World Cup bid, David Beckham openly endorsed their bid by going on worldwide television stating that he would support... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to see and do for a short stay, Overnight flight, time zone - BST+1.
Disadvantages: Helluva long way, safety off the beaten path.

...Every now and then, you need to do something totally extravagant. So, when we were looking to celebrate a special occasion a couple of years ago, we were thrilled to find a discounted weekend break to Cape Town. Now you might think it is crazy to go all that way for a long weekend, but the beauty is the overnight flights - you get on, watch movie, sleep and hey presto you wake up in South Africa. There is only 1 hour time difference in the summer so jet lag is not an issue. We boarded our South African Airways flight at Heathrow 9pm Friday night. In-flight service was excellent, and the flight was not that full so we had two seats each and managed to get 5 hours kip en route to Cape Town. We were woken by the cabin crew at about 6am with the best in-flight breakfast I have ever had. Sort of Full English plus croissants, yoghurt... Read review

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