South Africa's tourism industry
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
South Africa's scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate, cultural diversity and reputation for delivering value for money have made it one of the world's fastest growing leisure - and business - travel destinations.
The country is highly diverse in terms of its climate, culture, tourist activities and infrastructure, catering for every tourism niche, from business, eco- and cultural tourism through to adventure, sport and paleo-tourism.
International travel to South Africa has surged since the end of apartheid. In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, only 3.9-million foreign visitors arrived in the country. By 2007 a total of 9.07-million foreigners visited South Africa
SA scenery the best in the world
South Africa is the most beautiful country on earth. In the 2006 Reader's Travel Awards by UK magazine Condé Nast Traveller, South Africa's scenery scored 97.8% - the highest in the world - with the country being voted the world's fifth-best tourist destination.
South Africa's hotels and spas were also rated among the best in the world, with six establishments making it onto the top 20 list of leisure hotels in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.
South Africa: adventure heaven!
South Africa offers 3 000 kilometres of coastline along with breathtaking mountains - often side by side. The country's diverse terrain, together with an ideal climate for outdoor activities, make it a rich hunting ground for adrenaline seekers.
SA offers world-class climbing, surfing, diving, hiking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting - and just about any other extreme activity you can name, all supported by dedicated operators.
South African wildlife experiences
Bushveld adventures
There is nothing quite like the African bush, and no better place in the world for big game. Besides its renowned national parks, South Africa boasts a range of private reserves, all offering excellent wildlife and bird watching.
Or join an overland excursion or guided safari, where you can sit back and concentrate on spotting the game while someone else does the driving.
For an absolutely typical game experience, you'll need to visit the lowveld of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West or KwaZulu-Natal provinces, where elephants lumber gracefully through the bush, and lions rest in the heat of the day after a long night's hunting.
South African eco-lodges on A-list
Three South African lodges are included on the latest National Geographic Adventure magazine list of 50 top eco-lodges. Phinda Private Game Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve have taken their place among the top environmentally friendly tourism destinations in the world.
Food and wine
South African cuisine
For the more daring diner, South Africa offers culinary challenges ranging from crocodile sirloins to fried caterpillars to sheep heads. All three are reputed to be delicious.
For the not-quite so brave, there are myriad indigenous delicacies such as biltong (dried, salted meat), bobotie (a much-improved version of Shepherd's pie) and boerewors (hand-made farm sausages, grilled on an open flame).
Those who prefer to play it altogether safe will find that most eateries offer a familiar global menu - anything from hamburgers to sushi to pad thai to spaghetti bolognaise. And you can drink the tap water.
South African wine
South African wines are among the best in the world, and with the top estates located in the scenic Cape, wine tourism represents one of the country's growth industries.
The country is highly diverse in terms of its climate, culture, tourist activities and infrastructure, catering for every tourism niche, from business, eco- and cultural tourism through to adventure, sport and paleo-tourism.
International travel to South Africa has surged since the end of apartheid. In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, only 3.9-million foreign visitors arrived in the country. By 2007 a total of 9.07-million foreigners visited South Africa
SA scenery the best in the world
South Africa is the most beautiful country on earth. In the 2006 Reader's Travel Awards by UK magazine Condé Nast Traveller, South Africa's scenery scored 97.8% - the highest in the world - with the country being voted the world's fifth-best tourist destination.
South Africa's hotels and spas were also rated among the best in the world, with six establishments making it onto the top 20 list of leisure hotels in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.
South Africa: adventure heaven!
South Africa offers 3 000 kilometres of coastline along with breathtaking mountains - often side by side. The country's diverse terrain, together with an ideal climate for outdoor activities, make it a rich hunting ground for adrenaline seekers.
SA offers world-class climbing, surfing, diving, hiking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting - and just about any other extreme activity you can name, all supported by dedicated operators.
South African wildlife experiences
Bushveld adventures
There is nothing quite like the African bush, and no better place in the world for big game. Besides its renowned national parks, South Africa boasts a range of private reserves, all offering excellent wildlife and bird watching.
Or join an overland excursion or guided safari, where you can sit back and concentrate on spotting the game while someone else does the driving.
For an absolutely typical game experience, you'll need to visit the lowveld of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West or KwaZulu-Natal provinces, where elephants lumber gracefully through the bush, and lions rest in the heat of the day after a long night's hunting.
South African eco-lodges on A-list
Three South African lodges are included on the latest National Geographic Adventure magazine list of 50 top eco-lodges. Phinda Private Game Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve have taken their place among the top environmentally friendly tourism destinations in the world.
Food and wine
South African cuisine
For the more daring diner, South Africa offers culinary challenges ranging from crocodile sirloins to fried caterpillars to sheep heads. All three are reputed to be delicious.
For the not-quite so brave, there are myriad indigenous delicacies such as biltong (dried, salted meat), bobotie (a much-improved version of Shepherd's pie) and boerewors (hand-made farm sausages, grilled on an open flame).
Those who prefer to play it altogether safe will find that most eateries offer a familiar global menu - anything from hamburgers to sushi to pad thai to spaghetti bolognaise. And you can drink the tap water.
South African wine
South African wines are among the best in the world, and with the top estates located in the scenic Cape, wine tourism represents one of the country's growth industries.