South Africa: dream destination--yes or no?

WHILE SOUTH AFRICA has often been described as "the world in one country," describing both the country's physical and cultural diversity, many people ask us about personal security and whether it is a safe country to visit. The press often plays upon our fears, noting the supposedly high levels of violence within the country, the extent of AIDS in the region and the potential for racial problems.

Without any hesitation, we encourage interested travelers to experience this wonderful land. South Africa is a land of change, having undergone one of the most remarkable political and social upheavals that has overtaken any nation in modern times and having done so peacefully. After some 15 years of change, South Africa is beginning to re-appear as an economic force within the region with a stable government, a broadly-based educational system and an extremely secure environment within which people can live, work and travel.

South Africa is a land with quality hotels, a excellent network of quality roads, wonderful food and wines and one of the most diverse and beautiful physical environments that one can experience anywhere in the world. From the charms of Cape Town (surely a city with one of the most dramatic settings anywhere) to the wilds of Kruger National Park, we find magnificent beaches, tropical rainforests, temperate forests, unique flora, rolling farmlands, rugged mountains, picturesque vineyards and an endless variety of game parks and reserves. We will find peoples from virtually every cultural and racial background, living in harmony and sharing the bounty of this delightful land.

We have had the pleasure of operating escorted tours to South Africa for the past decade and, without exception, travellers return to Canada singing the praises of this unique land and all it offers.

They tell us about the kindness of the people, the glories of the food and the diversity of all they have seen and experienced.

Whether you plan to travel on an escorted tour or to travel on your own, you should allow sufficient time to become immersed into the social heritage that is South Africa today. Allow time and make the effort to interact with the many races that together make up this unique land--from the pretty streets of Soweto to the villages of the Zulu, from the exclusive resort areas of Plettenberg Bay to charming rural districts like Oudtshoorn and Caledon, from cosmopolitan Durban to the delights of Cape Town. If you decide to explore on your own, be sure to get experienced help--there are areas that you should visit and other areas that are less safe and that should be avoided (just as there are in many countries and big cities).

Plan to visits at least one national park or larger game reserve (most reserves are private and, in many, animals are to a certain extent, controlled or encouraged to remain visible--you have more opportunities to see game but less of a thrill in discovering them). Areas that you should plan to visit include Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Soweto (all urban centres), the Winelands and the Cape of Good Hope, the Garden Route along the south coast, Durban and the land of the Zulu, Swaziland (a separate nation), Kruger Park and the Highveld. For those with more time, we strongly recommend a visit to Victoria Falls (you can avoid Zimbabwe by viewing the falls from Livingstone in Zambia), Chobe National Park in Botswana (excellent game viewing), the magnificent Okavanga Delta (even better game experiences in the heart of Botswana) and Namibia (but that is almost another journey in itself).

For those who love rail travel, South Africa offers some special experiences. The Blue Train, created to transport South Africa's former political leaders between the country's two capitals (Pretoria and Cape Town), is a wonderful but expensive experience. For more traditional rail travel, you may wish to consider the Rovos Rail--a vintage train that periodically travels From Cape Town into the heart of Africa, to Victoria Falls and even further north.

For those wishing more of a posh atmosphere, Sun City may have special appeal. Located just hours from Johannesburg, this world class area features a number of different quality resorts, exceptional golf courses and even a local game reserve.