South Africa is one of the most developed countries in Africa. It is a republic state with a population of 49,320,000 and bounded by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe on the north and the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. South Africa is a country composed of many races of people; blacks, whites, Asians and colored. There are as many as eleven official languages spoken in South Africa. South Africa is a major tourist destination in Africa, having a number of interesting sites.

GOLD MINES

South Africa is a mining country, with rich gold mines. Many people tour these gold mines to have a firsthand feel of mining and to see gold in its raw state. Tourists are taken through the processes of digging for the gold, cleansing it and how it is prepared for t he local as well as the export market. The local people in these gold mining areas refine some of the gold to produce jewelry and other items. The tourists are shown how to process items from gold using less sophisticated methods. Some of the methods involve the use of homemade tools. Tourists also get the opportunity to purchase some of these otherwise expensive pieces at cheaper rates.

NATURAL RESERVES

South Africa abounds in natural parks and forest reserves. Their reserves are well stocked with wildlife and natural habitats. There are the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, the Paul Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park among others. It is said that it is only in South African parks that you can find any wild animal you want to see; lions, leopards, tigers, giraffes, deers and what have you. The forests have some of the oldest trees and bushes in the world. Some of the parks also have a range of wild flowers and fragrant plants imaginable.

WINE ESTATES

A visit to South Africa is not complete without a visit to the rich wine estates. South Africa is a world-renowned wine producer and has a number of these wine estates. Calitzdorp Winery, Die Krans, Fairview, Fleur du Cap Wine Estates, Helderberg Wine Route and Lanskroon Estate Wines among others are just a few of the wine estates. They offer the best of wines at good prices. Tourists have the chance to see how wine is produced from the preparation of the grapes to bottling and packaging. Some tourists may also have the opportunity to taste some of the wine for free.

BEACHES

Beaches are one of the abundant tourist resources found in South Africa, it has a coastline on the east, west and south. South African beaches are sandy and golden. Cape Vidal Camp, Coffee Bay, The Dolphine Coast, Durban and East London are just a few of the beaches in South Africa. Some of these offer tourists the tools and opportunities to deep-sea fish and also to swim.

MANDELA ESTATESO

ne cannot visit South Africa without paying tribute to the great man who made South Africa what it is today; Nelson Mandela. This man struggled for the independence of South Africa. His home has a library and a form of museum that tells the South African story.
Take some time off your busy schedule and relax yourself in South Africa. You will have a lot of fun you will never forget.

About Author / Additional Info: