Page 43 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

SOUTH AFRIC A THROUGH THE Y EAR  41

Summer
Most tourists visit South Africa
during the long summer
months. The local long school
holidays extend from
December well into January.
With many South African
families traditionally heading
for the seaside and wildlife
reserves, this is when the roads
are at their busiest. Summer
is a season spent outdoors.
Christmas lunch is more likely
to be celebrated around an
informal braai (barbecue) than The fiercely contested Dusi Canoe Marathon, Pietermaritzburg
at a dining table. Over much
of the country, summer rain January Dusi Canoe Marathon (second
arrives in the form of short, Maynardville Open-Air week in Feb), Pietermaritzburg
noisy thunder showers. Theatre (Jan–Feb), Wynberg, (see pp280–81). This gruelling
Cape Town (see p171). three-day canoe marathon
Shakespeare and ballet in a to the mouth of the Umgeni
city park. River attracts more than
Oude Libertas Arts Programme 2,000 participants.
(Jan–Mar), Stellenbosch (see Up the Creek (Feb), Breede
pp196–7). Performances in an River, near Swellendam (see
elegant amphitheatre. pp230–31). A four-day music
Kaapse Klopse (2 Jan), Cape festival with events on three
Town. A colourful musical stages set up on the banks of
and minstrel procession that the Breede River.
culminates in concerts at Cape Cape Town Pride (last weekend
Town Stadium. in Feb), Cape Town. Colourful
J&B Metropolitan Handicap floats and a parade along
(last Sat in Jan), Kenilworth Somerset Road in Green Point
Race Course, Cape Town. South culminate in a street party in De
Africa’s major horse-racing meet Waterkant at this gay event.
is equally popular for its fashion Prickly Pear Festival (Feb–Mar),
and social activities. Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth (see
pp250–53). A celebration of
February traditional South African food,
Crowds at a concert in Cape Town FNB Dance Umbrella such as braais, potjiekos (stews
(Feb–Mar), Braamfontein, made in three-legged, cast-iron
December Johannesburg (see pp314–5). pots), ginger beer and bunny
Carols by Candlelight One of South Africa’s most chow (curry served in a half-loaf
(pre-Christmas). Advent important dance events. of bread).
celebrations in the botanical
gardens of the large cities.
Somerset West Festival of
Lights (Dec), Somerset West.
Main Street display of festive
lights combined with an
evening Christmas market.
Kirstenbosch Summer
Concerts, (every Sun, Dec–Mar)
Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden, Cape Town
(see pp164–5). Picnic on the
lawns to music from rock and
jazz to classical and opera.
Nedbank Golf Challenge,
Sun City (see p326). An
internationally renowned
golfing event with 12 of
the world’s best golfers. Cape Town’s minstrels are a colourful sight in early January

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