OT: Recommedations for a visit to South Africa

[dogscoff]

Hi,

About two months from now, I'll be going to South Africa.
Me, the wife and my in-laws will be spending a few days in Port Elizabeth to attend a wedding, and then about a week in some kind of Safari lodge nearby.

Anyone know the area? Anything in particular I should see/ do/ avoid/ eat/ drink?

[Atrocities]

DON'T DRINK THE WATER.... and use a lot of Elephant Dung in the fire!

[dogscoff]

DON'T DRINK THE WATER

Beer only then. Good advice, thanks At=-)

[Renegade 13]

South Africa's a fairly stable country politically (at least, compared to the surrounding countries...) so I wouldn't think you'd have trouble with that particular facet of your visit.

Have a good trip!

[Atrocities]

Bring back some SA Diamonds and send them to me!

[Kana]

Renegade 13 said:
South Africa's a fairly stable country politically (at least, compared to the surrounding countries...) so I wouldn't think you'd have trouble with that particular facet of your visit.

My dad just got back from a trip to SA about 3 months ago, and he did mucho research...including some goverment websites that tell you any current problems in the geo-political region, and what to expect while your there, and how best to go about things in your travels. Of course the one interesting story was that he went to a restaurant with some friends, before dark, near the 'compound/hotel' were they were staying, and came out after dark, and there was a security guard with a shotgun in the parking lot...make your own assumptions on stability and security from that...

Kana

[Oversway]

I've heard that South Africa has a very bad problem with crimes and gangs - stories like the shotgun security guy and worse. However all that is 3rd, 4th, 5th hand. I would be very careful, however.

A safari is the typical thing to do, and sounds really fun. You could also visit old aparteid buildings if you are interested in the history of the country.

One thing that you might not think of when you hear South Africa is that the fishing is really good. If you really want an uncommon experience, you can look into shark cage diving.

[Raging Deadstar]

Oversway said:
One thing that you might not think of when you hear South Africa is that the fishing is really good. If you really want an uncommon experience, you can look into shark cage diving.

After the months previous plotline in Schlock Mercenary, I doubt that Dogscoff will go diving with sharks any time soon

[Baron Munchausen]

South Africa has got a truly huge crime problem. This is not surprising given the unemployment rate. I'd be very careful about where I went during the whole trip. Stick to the very busy 'tourist' areas even if you think they are boring. I doubt there is much to see in the countryside that you couldn't see somewhere else. The suggestion to try a fishing trip might not be a bad idea. Since it's so far from most commercially fished areas and only recently developed much of a tourist industry it does apparently have good (sport) fishing. And it's tough to get robbed by a random desperado when you're miles offshore.

[Karibu]

dogscoff said:

Beer only then. Good advice, thanks At=-)

Oh, no. No beer. South Africa is well known of its quality wines. I would definately taste those wines if I would go there. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img]