I landed at the airport in Johannesburg and was immediately greeted with an amazing flurry of different sights and sounds. I choose to delve first into the nations past, paying respect to perhaps the nations most volatile period, by going to the Apartheid Museum. Entry costing around $7, it has an extraordinary number of displays in its 22 exhibit areas, truly guiding the visitor along the journey. Utilizing visual, auditory and sensory displays, it makes the visitor feel like they are a part of history

When I heard about the excellent food offered in Johannesburg I knew I had to have a taste. My friends I can tell you that I found the best stake house in, not simply the region, but the entire continent. Simply called “The Local Grill,” you can get a great big slab of meat between $12 and $20 with a side dish of chips that will make your mouth water. Not only was the food amazing but the owners actually allowed me and others to observe the steak being cooked in the kitchen itself!

Once more on the road I left for Cape Town. I wanted to see the nation from a very unique perspective and was rewarded when the opportunity to visit Table Mountain revealed itself. One of the most popular attractions in the region, the long walk up rewarded you with a view stretching or miles. On a warm day, however, I wouldn’t recommend leaving without a hat and some serious sunscreen, it can get quite hot up there.

Feeling a little drowsy after all the exploration I decided that it was time to find some lodging. Being a student on my gap year I was quite frugal and decided to book it ahead of time, finding the Southern Sun Waterfront. With certain rooms costing as low as $31 a night, the ideal space was made even better with a fantastic pool, as well as extraordinary service. Located just a short distance away from wonderful shopping centers, it was a great place to stay.

I heard great things from the locals as well as fellow traveling backpackers that the country was known for the region called the Garden route. Checking some information about it at My destination, Garden route, I found that the nickname was given to it due to the thick foliage of the south of the country, producing a lush green scenery. Nearly 200 Km of track, it contrasts with the dry north. At the center of the region is found an Eden known as the Botanical Gardens of Durham. Absolutely free, it is famous for housing one of the rarest plants in the world called the’ Encephalartos woodii’. The garden also held the Nordic house which first began the naturalistic display of foliage in the region. Open between 7 and 5, I’d highly recommend taking a look.

Michal Kniec, after completing a History degree in Canada, decided that a little change of scenery would do him some good and moved across the world to Manchester. Now studying law, he loves to write, cook, and travel as much as possible on this pale blue dot.

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1. Mapungubwe National Park

This picturesque park is not only home to elephants, white rhinos, gemsbok and leopards but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing a number of archaeological treasures. Located on the boarders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, there are over 400 species of bird as well as smaller game species, pythons and black mambas to watch out for. There are numerous camps to stay in if you want to spend more than a day here with Johannesburg accommodation ranging from luxury lodges to tents.

2. Marakele National Park

Found on the Waterberg Mountain Range this is another park touched by the beauty brush. The mountains, valley and grassy hillsides are home to a number of elephants, rhinos and lions as well as a colony of endangered Cape Vultures. Many of the staff are local – so know their stuff – and you can join bush walks, game viewing, mountain drives and sunset excursions to get to grips with this South African treasure for yourself.

3. The Elephant Sanctuary

Situated near the Hartebeespoort Dam just half an hour from Sandton in Johannesburg the Elephant Sanctuary is a half-way house and haven for those young African elephants who need a little helping hand. Through special training the aim is to eventually release the elephants back into the wild. Visits here are based on education and interaction; you’ll even get to walk hand-in-trunk with one of these beautiful creatures – enabling you to get an understanding of just how precious their welfare really is.

4. Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

This privately owned game reserve is situated about 40 kilometres from Johannesburg and covers approximately 1,200 hectares where buffalo’s, cheetah’s and of course lions and rhinos can all be seen. Located in the ‘Cradle of Humankind’, a World Heritage Site, this reserve also offers up activities for visitors including a children’s play park, evening astronomical activities and an animal crèche where you can touch lion, cheetah and tiger cubs.

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I’ll be straight from the start: I am not a wine connoisseur.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the grapey goodness – quite the contrary in fact – but when it comes to judgment on quality, two criteria govern my uncultivated tongue. Did that first sip make me wince? Or didn’t it?

As I’m spending my gap year vagabonding round the world on a budget tighter than a boa constrictor’s cuddle, fine wine (or abysmal wine for that matter) does not often accompany my evening meals of instant noodles and whatever else I can scavenge from stray dogs.

However – and this is a big however – I’m now in Cape Town, South Africa, and if there is anywhere in the world to swot up on wines, this is the place to do it. The world-famous Cape Town wine would give me chance to expand my frankly ignorant palate beyond the aforementioned benchmarks.

And so it was, I got myself on a tasting tour. It would have been criminal not to.

Choosing where to go wasn’t difficult; the Franschhoek winelands, a short drive from Cape Town, are among the most celebrated in the world.

Exquisite wine aside, the scenery alone makes this place worth visiting. Sprawled around the pretty village of Franschhoek, the estates meander through the stupendously scenic Franschhoek Valley, with endless swathes of bottle green vineyards stretching up its steep slopes.

I visited the Boschendal Wine Estate, one of the oldest in the area, having been settled by French Huguenots over 300 years ago. Nestled in the foothills of the towering Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg Mountains, it’s received numerous awards for its wine, and I was about to find out why.

First up was a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which, according to my charming guide, would give me a burst of rich red and black fruits – cassis to mulberry – well rounded tannins and a touch of mint…

Yep, I got some mint.

I think.

Anyway, the important thing is this: that wine was the best thing I’ve ever tasted. It was the flavoursome equivalent to a tongue massage.

The experience taught me a rather obvious truth – you don’t have to be a connoisseur to recognise a good wine, you just need taste buds (a penchant for alcohol helps too).

Naturally I enquired how much a bottle (or three) of this heavenly nectar would set me back.

The answer made me wince.

Jack Jones is an English freelance travel writer. This quote from Pete McCarthy pretty much sums him up… "He instinctively understands that the purpose of travel is to be able to tell your friends about it and make them feel that staying at home was the poorer option, even if it wasn’t."

Images: slack12

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This article could have been titled 10 tips for SAFE travel to South Africa, but when it comes to the rainbow nation safe is a word that is difficult to link either day to day life or the experience of travellers taking in the sights.

While crime statistics have improved over the past decade (though again rising slightly in 2009), South Africa still retains one of the world’s highest crime rates.  It’s not simply the amount of crime that’s the worry, but the percentage of that crime that is violent in nature.  In a recent address to parliament, South African President Jacob Zuma stated that South Africa has a greater problem with violent crime than any other country in the world (a statement made in the year South Africa is hosting the world cup).   Travelling this country is an amazing experience but a journey that must be undertaken with caution.

The following 10 tips will help you to travel safer in South Africa.

10. Safety starts at the Airport. The main terminal at Johannesburg’s international airport is not a particularly safe place. Thieves, pickpockets and other low life’s stalk the area looking for anything not nailed down. Be aware of your possessions and exit stage left as quickly as possible.

9. Rental cars. This is probably the safest way to get around the country. Despite this everybody has heard the carjacking horror stories (there are 250 police dedicated to hijackings in Joberg alone), and precautions have to be taken. DO NOT drive at night, leave a gap of an inch or so on your driver’s side window (which makes it harder to smash the window), keep your doors locked (central locking is a must) and be vigilant at traffic lights as this is the usual spot for car jackings to occur.

8. Travelling in a group is no guarantee of safety. While travelling in big numbers certainly helps, don’t assume you or your group will not be targeted. Always be aware of what’s going on and don’t stray too much from the pack.

7. Hotels. Theft of valuables from your hotel or hostel is very common (as in other parts of the world). Try not to take much to South Africa that you would not be too distraught to lose, and keep valuables  safely hidden.

6. Avoid travelling alone. Don’t wander off down quiet side streets, avoid deserted beaches and dark areas at all times and at all costs.

5. Don’t read the newspapers. After a few months in the country I had to stop reading the local and national papers; it started to freak me out. Crimes that would be front page at home barely rate a mention, and the ones that are featured are pretty horrendous.

4. Always ask the locals. Keep a close ear for advice from locals and hotel operators on where and where not to go. From street to street the safety situation can change quickly.

3. Try to avoid public transport. There’s a decent network of backpacker busses and renting a car is cheap and a safer way to go. The mini buses can be dodgy, with little to know safety standards (and maybe driven on behalf of local gangs). You might meet more of the locals on the bus but maybe this is better done in the pub.

2. If you plan to surf or swim at the ocean beaches be aware that South Africa is home to a healthy and hungry population of great white sharks. Signs will be up at certain times of year advising against swimming or surfing at some beaches due to the ‘sardine run’, a time when great whites are especially active.  Be aware!

1. Be alert but not alarmed. While all this might sound off putting South Africa is still a great and memorable place to visit. Time here can be a good, as long as you keep your wits about you.