Page 418 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

416 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS
SPECIALINTEREST

HOLIDAYS

South Africa, with its moderate climate, long however. Whether it is canoeing on the
hours of sunshine, endless coastline and Orange River, taking plant-hunting trips
varied landscape, is a country that can in the coastal forests of KwaZulu-Natal,
provide a wide range of outdoor pursuits mountaineering in the Drakensberg, bungee
almost all year round. South Africans, in jumping along the Garden Route, board-
general, enjoy the great outdoors: during sailing in the Western Cape or visiting historic
summer, visitors to Cape Town may well battlefields and museums, there is something
believe that the entire city is in training for to interest everyone. Moreover, South Africa’s
forthcoming running and cycling marathons, fascinating multicultural past and present
as locals take to the streets to get fit. can be experienced at regional festivals
Activities go beyond competitive sports, (see pp40–43) and on special tours.

Hiking
Even the smallest farms in the
most remote regions have laid-
out trails, with distance-marked
paths and maps provided upon
booking and payment. Most
overnight hikes are situated on
private land or state reserves,
with accom modation in rustic
huts, with firewood, mattresses
and cold-water washing
facilities usually included.
Favourite trails such as the four-
night Otter Trail and four-night
Tsitsikamma Trail (see pp238–9)
need to be booked more than a
year in advance. Most outdoor
equipment stores are able to Kloofing, or madcap jumping, into pools, a new dimension of hiking
advise on day and longer hikes,
and they also sell guide books, around the country, including Rock Climbing
maps and trail provisions. descriptions, facilities available and Kloofing
Green Flag Trails, an arm and reservation details. Rock climbing (whether
of the Hiking Organization of Most private reserves and traditional, sport or bouldering)
Southern Africa (HOSA), some of the provincial reserves has a large following in South
lists and grades more than and national parks offer guided Africa. Climbing equipment
100 accredited hiking trails game- and bird-watching stores can provide enthusiasts
rambles, as well as overnight with gear, information and
bushveld and wilderness trails. route ideas. Some of the best
The real attraction of these traditional climbing is found
hikes, is the unrivalled in KwaZulu-Natal’s Drakensberg
experience of walking through (see pp274–5), while Cape Town’s
the African bush, surrounded by Table Mountain (see pp136–7)
the sounds and smells of its offers interesting challenges
diverse fauna and flora. for experienced climbers.
The Kruger National Park (see Coming back down from the
pp340–5) offers at least seven climb can take the form of a
such trails: the Bushman Trail fast and thrilling abseil descent,
includes finding rock paintings or the Australian SAS-created
in the hill shelters. Due to the counterpart, known as a rapp
popularity of these walks, jump. This involves descending
bookings should be made at high speed while facing
months in advance. Contact forward with the rope attached
South Africa National Parks to your back and your feet
Hiking in KwaZulu-Natal (SANParks) for details. pounding down the rock face.