Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, has transformed dramatically over the past century from an unplanned railhead settlement to a modern metropolis of over 3.5 million people. A 48-hour visit offers a taste of Nairobi's contrasts - from the bustling city streets to nearby natural areas hosting diverse wildlife. Key sights include the National Museum, Nairobi Arboretum, Railway Museum, and day trips to Nairobi National Park and the Giraffe Center to see elephants, giraffes and other native species. Meals provide flavors from local coffee to Indian curries, while craft markets and art galleries offer glimpses into Kenyan culture.
The document highlights unique attractions and stories from the Seychelles islands to showcase that it is more than just a beach destination. It describes the world's oldest tortoise living on Aldabra island, the legendary coco de mer palm unique to the Seychelles, seeing the rare black parrot on Praslin island, exploring the small capital city of Victoria and its beaches, learning about rum production at a historic distillery, Ian Fleming naming a James Bond character after a Seychelles drink, the former leper colony on Curieuse Island, and trying the local shark chutney dish.
Romblon Island in the Philippines is a tranquil tropical paradise little known to most tourists. It has a population of less than 40,000 and offers visitors pristine beaches, dense green mountains, and diverse underwater life. The island is known for its unique marine creatures that can be seen while scuba diving, including various shrimp, sea slugs, and fish. It also has small neighboring islands like Alad Island that provide an unspoiled natural environment for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. While Romblon has a marble industry, it maintains a quiet, community-focused atmosphere exemplified by the welcoming locals in Romblon Town.
Marina Bruce is a British expat and avid desert explorer based in Abu Dhabi who frequently visits Salalah, Oman. She first visited in July 2012 and was enthralled by the atmosphere of people enjoying picnics in the rain. Since then she has returned multiple times and explored the surrounding areas, such as following the frankincense trail and visiting Wadi Dirbat. Marina documents her desert adventures on her blog "Desert Diva" and encourages others to explore the natural beauty of Oman.
Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, has transformed dramatically over the past century from an unplanned railhead settlement to a modern metropolis of over 3.5 million people. A 48-hour visit offers a taste of Nairobi's contrasts - from the bustling city streets to nearby natural areas hosting diverse wildlife. Key sights include the National Museum, Nairobi Arboretum, Railway Museum, and day trips to Nairobi National Park and the Giraffe Center to see elephants, giraffes and other native species. Meals provide flavors from local coffee to Indian curries, while craft markets and art galleries offer glimpses into Kenyan culture.
The document highlights unique attractions and stories from the Seychelles islands to showcase that it is more than just a beach destination. It describes the world's oldest tortoise living on Aldabra island, the legendary coco de mer palm unique to the Seychelles, seeing the rare black parrot on Praslin island, exploring the small capital city of Victoria and its beaches, learning about rum production at a historic distillery, Ian Fleming naming a James Bond character after a Seychelles drink, the former leper colony on Curieuse Island, and trying the local shark chutney dish.
Romblon Island in the Philippines is a tranquil tropical paradise little known to most tourists. It has a population of less than 40,000 and offers visitors pristine beaches, dense green mountains, and diverse underwater life. The island is known for its unique marine creatures that can be seen while scuba diving, including various shrimp, sea slugs, and fish. It also has small neighboring islands like Alad Island that provide an unspoiled natural environment for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. While Romblon has a marble industry, it maintains a quiet, community-focused atmosphere exemplified by the welcoming locals in Romblon Town.
Marina Bruce is a British expat and avid desert explorer based in Abu Dhabi who frequently visits Salalah, Oman. She first visited in July 2012 and was enthralled by the atmosphere of people enjoying picnics in the rain. Since then she has returned multiple times and explored the surrounding areas, such as following the frankincense trail and visiting Wadi Dirbat. Marina documents her desert adventures on her blog "Desert Diva" and encourages others to explore the natural beauty of Oman.
As its name suggests, South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa with a coastline washed by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. There are 9 provinces in South Africa which cover its massive land mass.
This document provides information about key tourism areas and transportation options in South Africa. It outlines 9 key tourism areas in the country - Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park, and Durban. Details are given for each area's attractions and website. It also describes 2 luxury train options - Rovos Rail and Blue Train - that connect major cities like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban while providing an upscale travel experience.
South Africa landmarks, culture, food and national heroes Fatih ullah khan
South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa, bounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It has a diverse landscape, including coastal areas, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the Karoo region. South Africa has a rich cultural heritage and celebrates this through numerous annual festivals. Popular South African foods reflect the diverse cultural influences and include biltong, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bunny chow, and braais.
South Africa has three different capital cities - Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Pretoria is the administrative capital. A trip up Table Mountain in Cape Town offers breathtaking views, and a cruise to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is a must-see. Kruger National Park, about the size of Wales, attracts many visitors hoping to spot the big five animals and is one of South Africa's best national parks. The springbok is South Africa's national animal and also the mascot of their national rugby team, while the king protea is the national flower.
South Africa has 19 national parks that protect over 3% of the country's land. The most famous are Kruger National Park, known for its diverse wildlife like lions and elephants, and Golden Gate Highlands National Park, popular for hiking trails with views of San rock paintings. Some top activities include skydiving over vineyards, cage diving with great white sharks, and multiday hiking trails like the Otter Trail along the coast. South Africa's history spans early indigenous tribes, Dutch colonization in the 1600s, the apartheid era of the 20th century, and the modern democratic country working to address ongoing poverty challenges.
Spectacular Sights: Exploring South Africa's Top Tourist SpotsSouth Africa Travel
"Spectacular Sights: Exploring South Africa's Top Tourist Spots" is a captivating guide that invites travelers on a journey through the most awe-inspiring destinations in this diverse and vibrant country. Meticulously curated, this guide showcases iconic landmarks like Table Mountain in Cape Town, the majestic Victoria Falls, and the captivating Kruger National Park. It also highlights hidden gems such as the charming town of Stellenbosch and the historic site of Soweto. With detailed descriptions, practical tips, and recommended itineraries, this guide ensures a rich and memorable exploration of South Africa's cultural, natural, and historical treasures. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking breathtaking landscapes, this guide promises an adventure of a lifetime.
"Cape Town Explorer's Guide: Premier Attractions" is your passport to an extraordinary journey through South Africa's iconic coastal city. This meticulously curated guide unveils the most distinguished and captivating destinations, ensuring an enriching experience for every traveler. From the kaleidoscopic history of Bo-Kaap to the majestic heights of Table Mountain, this guide strikes the perfect balance between renowned landmarks and hidden gems, inviting exploration of treasures like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the picturesque village of Kalk Bay. With insightful tips and detailed maps, embark on an adventure that promises a seamless fusion of Cape Town's finest, making this guide an essential companion for any intrepid explorer.
The document provides an overview of attractions in the Overberg region of South Africa, including the towns of Hermanus and Gansbaai. It describes Hermanus as the premier location for whale watching along the Whale Coast from September to November. It also notes that Gansbaai is known as the shark diving capital of South Africa, where one can see great white sharks up close. The document summarizes the various natural features, parks, activities and towns throughout the Overberg region.
Africa is the second largest continent, with over 1.1 billion people living there. It has diverse geography and climate, ranging from deserts to rainforests. Some of its most notable features are the Sahara desert, the longest river Nile, and it being home to most of the world's elephants and lions. Major airlines in Africa include South African Airways, EgyptAir, and Ethiopian Airlines. Places of interest include the South African National War Museum and Nelson Mandela National Museum. African cultures like the Himba and Maasai tribes maintain traditional nomadic lifestyles centered around herding cattle. Popular activities include hiking at Cape of Good Hope, wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park, and
The document describes some adventurous activities the author experienced in South Africa, including a high-speed drifting tour of Johannesburg, a bungee jump from the top of Orlando Power Station cooling towers in Soweto, and riding elephants at Addo Elephant National Park. It discusses exploring the cities of Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth and activities like sandboarding at Sundays River in between these more adrenaline-focused experiences. The week-long trip provides a mix of urban exploration and exposure to South African wildlife and nature.
Go International with your team this summer!! 🏖
Our South Africa package is designed to deliver an action-packed experience, A perfectly curated Package of 5N/6D for your next Corporate Event.
Inclusive of Return Flight ,Stay at Hotel with all Meals ,1 Gala Dinner
Transfers & excursions as per itinerary.
Go International with your team this summer!! 🏖
Our South Africa package is designed to deliver an action-packed experience, A perfectly curated Package of 5N/6D for your next Corporate Event.
Inclusive of Return Flight ,Stay at Hotel with all Meals ,1 Gala Dinner
Transfers & excursions as per itinerary.
This 15-day luxury tour of South Africa explores the country's top culinary destinations and wildlife reserves. Guests will stay at 4 renowned properties - Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, Ellerman House in Cape Town, Tswalu Kalahari reserve in the Kalahari desert, and Singita Ebony in Sabi Sands game reserve. The itinerary includes fine dining experiences, wine tastings, private tours, and daily game drives to view the Big 5 animals.
The document provides information about various tourist attractions in the cities of Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria in South Africa. In Durban, some of the top attractions mentioned include the Golden Mile beach, Botanical Garden, Ushaka Marine World, Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, Durban City Hall, and Jumma Mosque. Johannesburg attractions highlighted are museums and art galleries, golf courses and amusement centers, adventure sports like hot air ballooning and skydiving, and Lion Park. Pretoria is introduced as the capital of South Africa, founded in 1855 and named after Andries Pretorius.
Guide to Southern Africa by Sedunia TravelSedunia Travel
Southern Africa is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations for Malaysians to visit in 2014. With its outstanding natural beauty, dizzying array of flora and fauna and rich cultural heritage, it's no wonder that Africa is on the radar for well-travelled Malaysians.
We've put together our ultimate guide to holidays in southern Africa, covering:
* Top tourist attractions
* Best national parks for safari
* Overviews of Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe as well as
* Tips on what to expect for first-time safari goers
Visit http://www.seduniatravel.com/tours/africa for more information
This 14-day accessible tour and safari begins in Durban, South Africa. Guests will stay at the 5-star Makaranga Garden Lodge, known for its accessibility and beautiful botanical gardens. The itinerary includes relaxing at the lodge, exploring Durban attractions like the beachfront and Ushaka Marine World, and visiting Umhlanga. The tour then spends 6 days at Leopard Walk Lodge in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, with game drives to spot wildlife. Other activities include visiting cultural and historical sites, canoeing, interacting with elephants, and seeing rehabilitation centers for cats. The tour concludes with shopping in Durban before departing.
This document provides travel tips and highlights top attractions in three major cities in South Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Johannesburg is known as the financial hub and City of Gold, with attractions like botanical gardens and Gold Reef City theme park. Cape Town offers stunning natural beauty like Table Mountain and shark cage diving offshore. Durban, with its warm weather and beaches, is known as South Africa's playground, and features attractions like UShaka Marine World and historic Victoria Street Market.
As its name suggests, South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa with a coastline washed by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. There are 9 provinces in South Africa which cover its massive land mass.
This document provides information about key tourism areas and transportation options in South Africa. It outlines 9 key tourism areas in the country - Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park, and Durban. Details are given for each area's attractions and website. It also describes 2 luxury train options - Rovos Rail and Blue Train - that connect major cities like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban while providing an upscale travel experience.
South Africa landmarks, culture, food and national heroes Fatih ullah khan
South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa, bounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It has a diverse landscape, including coastal areas, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the Karoo region. South Africa has a rich cultural heritage and celebrates this through numerous annual festivals. Popular South African foods reflect the diverse cultural influences and include biltong, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bunny chow, and braais.
South Africa has three different capital cities - Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Pretoria is the administrative capital. A trip up Table Mountain in Cape Town offers breathtaking views, and a cruise to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is a must-see. Kruger National Park, about the size of Wales, attracts many visitors hoping to spot the big five animals and is one of South Africa's best national parks. The springbok is South Africa's national animal and also the mascot of their national rugby team, while the king protea is the national flower.
South Africa has 19 national parks that protect over 3% of the country's land. The most famous are Kruger National Park, known for its diverse wildlife like lions and elephants, and Golden Gate Highlands National Park, popular for hiking trails with views of San rock paintings. Some top activities include skydiving over vineyards, cage diving with great white sharks, and multiday hiking trails like the Otter Trail along the coast. South Africa's history spans early indigenous tribes, Dutch colonization in the 1600s, the apartheid era of the 20th century, and the modern democratic country working to address ongoing poverty challenges.
Spectacular Sights: Exploring South Africa's Top Tourist SpotsSouth Africa Travel
"Spectacular Sights: Exploring South Africa's Top Tourist Spots" is a captivating guide that invites travelers on a journey through the most awe-inspiring destinations in this diverse and vibrant country. Meticulously curated, this guide showcases iconic landmarks like Table Mountain in Cape Town, the majestic Victoria Falls, and the captivating Kruger National Park. It also highlights hidden gems such as the charming town of Stellenbosch and the historic site of Soweto. With detailed descriptions, practical tips, and recommended itineraries, this guide ensures a rich and memorable exploration of South Africa's cultural, natural, and historical treasures. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking breathtaking landscapes, this guide promises an adventure of a lifetime.
"Cape Town Explorer's Guide: Premier Attractions" is your passport to an extraordinary journey through South Africa's iconic coastal city. This meticulously curated guide unveils the most distinguished and captivating destinations, ensuring an enriching experience for every traveler. From the kaleidoscopic history of Bo-Kaap to the majestic heights of Table Mountain, this guide strikes the perfect balance between renowned landmarks and hidden gems, inviting exploration of treasures like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the picturesque village of Kalk Bay. With insightful tips and detailed maps, embark on an adventure that promises a seamless fusion of Cape Town's finest, making this guide an essential companion for any intrepid explorer.
The document provides an overview of attractions in the Overberg region of South Africa, including the towns of Hermanus and Gansbaai. It describes Hermanus as the premier location for whale watching along the Whale Coast from September to November. It also notes that Gansbaai is known as the shark diving capital of South Africa, where one can see great white sharks up close. The document summarizes the various natural features, parks, activities and towns throughout the Overberg region.
Africa is the second largest continent, with over 1.1 billion people living there. It has diverse geography and climate, ranging from deserts to rainforests. Some of its most notable features are the Sahara desert, the longest river Nile, and it being home to most of the world's elephants and lions. Major airlines in Africa include South African Airways, EgyptAir, and Ethiopian Airlines. Places of interest include the South African National War Museum and Nelson Mandela National Museum. African cultures like the Himba and Maasai tribes maintain traditional nomadic lifestyles centered around herding cattle. Popular activities include hiking at Cape of Good Hope, wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park, and
The document describes some adventurous activities the author experienced in South Africa, including a high-speed drifting tour of Johannesburg, a bungee jump from the top of Orlando Power Station cooling towers in Soweto, and riding elephants at Addo Elephant National Park. It discusses exploring the cities of Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth and activities like sandboarding at Sundays River in between these more adrenaline-focused experiences. The week-long trip provides a mix of urban exploration and exposure to South African wildlife and nature.
Go International with your team this summer!! 🏖
Our South Africa package is designed to deliver an action-packed experience, A perfectly curated Package of 5N/6D for your next Corporate Event.
Inclusive of Return Flight ,Stay at Hotel with all Meals ,1 Gala Dinner
Transfers & excursions as per itinerary.
Go International with your team this summer!! 🏖
Our South Africa package is designed to deliver an action-packed experience, A perfectly curated Package of 5N/6D for your next Corporate Event.
Inclusive of Return Flight ,Stay at Hotel with all Meals ,1 Gala Dinner
Transfers & excursions as per itinerary.
This 15-day luxury tour of South Africa explores the country's top culinary destinations and wildlife reserves. Guests will stay at 4 renowned properties - Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, Ellerman House in Cape Town, Tswalu Kalahari reserve in the Kalahari desert, and Singita Ebony in Sabi Sands game reserve. The itinerary includes fine dining experiences, wine tastings, private tours, and daily game drives to view the Big 5 animals.
The document provides information about various tourist attractions in the cities of Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria in South Africa. In Durban, some of the top attractions mentioned include the Golden Mile beach, Botanical Garden, Ushaka Marine World, Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, Durban City Hall, and Jumma Mosque. Johannesburg attractions highlighted are museums and art galleries, golf courses and amusement centers, adventure sports like hot air ballooning and skydiving, and Lion Park. Pretoria is introduced as the capital of South Africa, founded in 1855 and named after Andries Pretorius.
Guide to Southern Africa by Sedunia TravelSedunia Travel
Southern Africa is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations for Malaysians to visit in 2014. With its outstanding natural beauty, dizzying array of flora and fauna and rich cultural heritage, it's no wonder that Africa is on the radar for well-travelled Malaysians.
We've put together our ultimate guide to holidays in southern Africa, covering:
* Top tourist attractions
* Best national parks for safari
* Overviews of Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe as well as
* Tips on what to expect for first-time safari goers
Visit http://www.seduniatravel.com/tours/africa for more information
This 14-day accessible tour and safari begins in Durban, South Africa. Guests will stay at the 5-star Makaranga Garden Lodge, known for its accessibility and beautiful botanical gardens. The itinerary includes relaxing at the lodge, exploring Durban attractions like the beachfront and Ushaka Marine World, and visiting Umhlanga. The tour then spends 6 days at Leopard Walk Lodge in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, with game drives to spot wildlife. Other activities include visiting cultural and historical sites, canoeing, interacting with elephants, and seeing rehabilitation centers for cats. The tour concludes with shopping in Durban before departing.
This document provides travel tips and highlights top attractions in three major cities in South Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Johannesburg is known as the financial hub and City of Gold, with attractions like botanical gardens and Gold Reef City theme park. Cape Town offers stunning natural beauty like Table Mountain and shark cage diving offshore. Durban, with its warm weather and beaches, is known as South Africa's playground, and features attractions like UShaka Marine World and historic Victoria Street Market.
Similar to 10 things to know before visiting South Africa (20)
REG-Scatec Solar awarded 258 MW in latest bidding round in South Africaminiatureafterl18
Scatec Solar was awarded preferred bidder status for three solar power plant projects totaling 258 MW in South Africa. The plants will be located in Upington in the Northern Cape region. Scatec Solar's CEO said the projects will represent one of the largest solar parks ever realized and will increase their asset base in Africa by 60%. Financial close is expected later in 2015 while construction is slated to begin in early 2017.
(Trans-) Borders, tongues, book and blood reflections/(Trans-) grense, taligh...
10 things to know before visiting South Africa
1. 10 things to know before visiting South Africa
The Kalahari has numerous surprising features
The food is multicultural
The Brits were trounced here
Paul Simon digs the music
Hippos eat lawns
Cape Point isn't the southernmost tip of Africa
There's 'summer' skiing
One street, two Nobel Peace Prize recipients
Dance is an important part of the culture
You can have a drink inside a tree
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
With apartheid two decades past, South Africa has claimed a spot as a top Africa destination
In west of the country, Upington has a designated space shuttle emergency landing runway
Cape Point isn't the most southerly point in Africa. That's 170 kilometers farther east
The world's biggest baobab tree is said to be in Limpopo province and it features a bar
2. World-renowned chef, best-selling author
and Emmy-winning television personality
Anthony Bourdain has returned for the
second season of CNN's showcase for
coverage of food and travel. "Anthony
Bourdain: Parts Unknown" is shot entirely
on location and airs on CNN on Sundays
at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Follow the show on
Twitter and Facebook.
(CNN) -- South Africa -- it's the part of the
continent most of us know at least a little
about.
Now almost two decades removed from apartheid, the country at the bottom of the continent has
taken up the place it deserves as one of Africa's top tourist destinations.
The country of approximately 52 million people is already well known for Cape Town, Table
Mountain, the wine route and game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
But there's much more to discover.
More: 26 most stunning spots in Africa
1. KwaZulu-Natal province inspired one of the world's best-selling albums
Paul Simon introduced the world to isicathamiya music, a form of Zulu a cappella, when he teamed
up with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for his album "Graceland."
Named after the KwaZulu-Natal town they come from, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is but one of
hundreds of similar groups that can be seen and heard performing regularly at shows that resemble
sporting competitions.
Often involving as many as 30 groups, these competitions usually take place in large cities, such as
Johannesburg and Durban, starting on a Saturday night and carrying on until well after the sun
comes up on Sunday morning.
2. Hippos eat lawns in downtown St. Lucia
The town of St. Lucia sits in the middle of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a subtropical estuary that's
part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 2003 President's Cup at South Africa's Fancourt Links ended in a historic tie between Tiger
Woods and Ernie Els.
Chances of getting mugged or hijacked are virtually nil, but chances of meeting a hippo while
walking to dinner are high.
The estuary contains one of the largest concentrations of hippos in the world.
3. In the evenings, when the sun goes down, they walk into town to munch on lawns in the residential
areas.
More: 10 best golf courses in Africa
3. Cape Point isn't the southernmost tip of Africa
It's a common misconception among tourists who trek to the Cape of Good Hope and climb the steps
to the lighthouse to assume there's no land between them and Antarctica.
It certainly looks that way from this magnificent viewpoint.
Except for the inconvenient fact that those truly wishing to be at the bottom of Africa have to travel
about another 170 kilometers southeast to the rocky outcrop at Cape Agulhas.
One more myth to bust: The Indian and Atlantic oceans don't meet at Cape Point, they meet at Cape
Agulhas.
There's real snow at Tiffindell Ski Resort. And if there's not, they'll make some for you.
4. There's 'summer' skiing
Yes, there's downhill skiing in South Africa.
In fact, there's downhill skiing in two countries in southern Africa: South Africa and neighboring
Lesotho.
Tiffendell Ski Resort in South Africa's Eastern Cape Highlands and Afriski in Lesotho's Maluti
Mountains (both ranges are part of what's more widely known as the Drakensberg Mountains) offer
a relatively short season running between June and August, the Southern Hemisphere winter.
Runs aren't long -- about a kilometer in total at each resort -- but there's real snow and when there
isn't enough falling from the sky, both Afriski and Tiffendell have snow-making equipment.
More: Safari pioneer Geoffrey Kent's incredible African odyssey
5. One street, two Nobel Peace Prize winners
Vilakazi Street punches way above its weight.
Before the arrival of democracy in South Africa, Vilakazi Street looked like any other nondescript
dusty street full of matchbox houses in Soweto, near Johannesburg.
But for decades it has been different from its neighbors; it has been and remains a place of
pilgrimage as the only street in the world that has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela and former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu
lived a few doors from each other on Vilakazi Street.
Tutu and his wife, Leah, still live there.
4. Mandela's house is now a National Historical site and open to the public as a museum.
Vilakazi Street is no longer dusty. The gravel has been replaced by pavement and brick sidewalks
and the new neighbors include restaurants, bars and local craft sellers.
Tradition rules in the Kalahari desert. But you can also land a space shuttle here in a pinch.
6. There's a space shuttle emergency landing strip in the Kalahari Desert
Upington is perhaps the world's most over-achieving small town.
It has a population of just around 75,000 and most South Africans have never been there, but it bills
itself as the capital of the Green Kalahari, a setting similar to Cairo on the Nile.
At 4.9 kilometers, the local airport runway is one of the longest in the world and was designated an
emergency landing area for the space shuttle should it have had to make an unscheduled landing in
southern Africa.
Upington Airport is also the final resting place for numerous commercial aircraft; the dry air helps
preserve them in case they're ever called into service again.
The Orange River, South Africa's largest, winds through the city, creating a greenbelt that only just
manages to keep the Kalahari Desert at bay.
More: 9 top South African spiritual retreats
7. Once you remove the quills, porcupine skin is delicious
Finding traditional dishes that originate in South Africa is a tall order (much of the cuisine is a
product of mixing cultures).
But C. Louis Leipoldt, a sort of Renaissance man from the early 20th century, made it one of his
lifelong pursuits.
The smallest villages in the Western Cape still try to whip up some of his more famous recipes when
the ingredients are available.
Porcupine crackling is one of them.
From his Cape Cookery book, Leipoldt's preparation instructions call for plunging the animal into
boiling water, scraping off the quills and hairs, scrubbing the skin until it's perfectly smooth and
white and then discarding the meat, which, he says, isn't very nice to eat.
Colonial disaster? Shocking.
8. It's the site of Britain's most shocking military defeat
In early 1879 the British army had state of the art equipment.
Commander-in-Chief Lord Chelmsford thought the barefoot, spear-wielding Zulu forces he was about
to attack in what is today the central part of KwaZulu-Natal province would be a walkover.
5. What he didn't count on was the technique used by the Zulu troops under King Cetshwayo.
In a formation representing the horns and chest of a buffalo, and using short, thrusting spears, the
Zulus overwhelmed the British; more than 1,300 of the 1,800 troops the British brought into battle
were dead at the end of the day.
The battle is re-enacted regularly and the site at Isandlwana is well maintained with
accommodations nearby.
9. SKA isn't music, it's a telescope
Ska is the roots of reggae music that began in Jamaica.
SKA is the Square Kilometer Array, a giant radio telescope being built in the Karoo, a large, semi-
desert that fills much of the southwestern part of the country.
The Karoo is located in one of the most remote corners of South Africa. The place is extremely quiet
and there's no artificial light nearby.
The SKA telescope will one day look into the universe and collect data 10,000 times faster than has
ever been done before.
Covering a square kilometer, the infrastructure won't be completed for another decade.
It's hoped that this multinational megaproject will help us understand where the universe has come
from as well as where it's going.
More: Zimbabwe proposes Disneyland in Africa
Stately and stoic -- baobabs are Africa's oldest and largest trees.
10. You can have a drink inside a tree
Africa's biggest and oldest trees, baobabs, are found in one of South Africa's driest regions, Limpopo
province.
Also known as cream of tartar trees, monkey-bread trees and upside-down trees, kids know them
from the "Madagascar" films.
The pulp from the tree contains citric and tartaric acids used as common baking ingredients.
The seeds can be roasted and turned into oil and the fruit is used to make a lemonade-type drink.
Limpopo province is home to a hauntingly beautiful forest of the trees near the border of Zimbabwe.
The tree that locals claim is the largest baobab in the world is in nearby Modjadjiskloof.
Standing at 22 meters high and 47 meters in diameter, the center is hollow and has been turned into
a bar.
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
6. North America/Latin America
Premiere episodes: Sundays, 9 p.m. ET
Replays: Saturdays, 9 p.m. ET
Asia/South Asia
Premiere episodes: Mondays, 9 a.m. HKT
Replays: Fridays,10 p.m. HKT; Sundays, 9 a.m. HKT