South Africa Places, Towns, Cities, Landmarks

This is a directory of South African places whatever that may mean to you. You will find towns, cities and areas discovered and briefly explained so you can get a feel for the "place" ... South Africa is a world in one country.

Paarl .. Here in 1687, on the banks of the Berg River, farmlands were given to Dutch settlers, just 30 years after Jan van Riebeeck's landing at the Cape. The fertile ground and the Mediterranean climate provided perfect conditions for farming. The settlers planted orchards, vegetable gardens and above all, vineyards.

Winelands  A 45-minute drive from Cape Town brings you to this area where splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop to lush vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history. Come experience the hospitality and beauty of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek and Pniel. The diversity of the Winelands will capture every heart.

Johannesburg to get a clean up THE Greater Ellis Park precinct, an area housing the city's premier sports complexes, is to receive a multi-million rand facelift over the next five years.

Table mountain is the defining characteristic for Cape Town. It is with you everywhere you go and believe me, you will never get lost.  On those days when it's cloudy, the Capetonians call the clouds covering the mountain the "Tablecloth".  If you are a first time visitor to Cape Town, then a visit is a must, and you should aim to go on a day which is very clear and not cloudy.

Republic of Hout Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa ... no passport needed. Hout Bay, twenty minutes drive from Cape Town, was named by explorer Jan van Riebeeck, for it lush forests surrounding the peaceful bay.

Cape Town ... A range of jagged mountains thrusting into the splendid desolation of the southern Atlantic, the Cape Peninsula is one of the world's most beautiful places. Pristine beaches, sheltered bays and secluded coves encircle the majestic might of Table Mountain, a World Heritage Site and home to some 8,500 species of flower.

Hermanus has grown from rustic fishermen's village to being acknowledged by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the 12 best Whale viewing sites in the world. From its rocky cliffs, Whales can be seen as close as 5 metres (16.4 feet). It is also the only place in the world where one can watch the Whales and, by means of an underwater microphone, hear their calls at the same time.

kwaZulu Natal ... home of the Zulu people and the land of Shaka Zulu the most famous Zulu of them all