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WHY RV in SOUTH AFRICA:
As five time visitors to South Africa we hope to dissolve some of the myths of travel in South Africa.
Open and vast, warm and wild, diamond mines, inviting pristine beaches, and friendly people welcome you on a trip of a lifetime.
The best way to enjoy this wonderful country is by driving yourself at your own leisurely pace, and getting up close and personal
to nature and animals in its many National Parks. Astonishing arrays of wild animals roam free in the majestic African bush, nowhere is Nature's Wild Kingdom so rich.
There is virtually no language barrier, allowing you to enjoy the local people in small towns along the way-we found the locals warm, friendly, and eager to welcome us.
Your American driver's license is accepted, the roads are in good condition and well sign posted, you do drive on the left. Upon
pick up of your moterhome you can rent a cell phone allowing you instant contact with the motor-home depot, loved ones at
home or to make reservation at your campground for the night. Yes, campgrounds are numerous- camping is a national pastime
in South Africa. If requested upon pick-up you will be given road maps and a booklet on their "100 best campgrounds". Campgrounds are available in most towns and National Parks.
Campgrounds range from the elaborate camping villages complete with swimming pool, on site restaurants, TV rooms and
laundries, to National Park camps and smaller locally owned parks. We found them all clean, well maintained , with power sites,
showers and bathrooms. We have found one of the joys of traveling through South Africa in a rented moterhome is the opportunity
it affords you to meet local people, see local craft markets, and shop the local fruit stands. You will be amazed at the hospitality
and friendliness of the South African people when they find out you are a visitor from North America.
O.K. what about all those tales I've heard?
Health Concerns? Consult your own physician, however remember "SOUTH" Africa is your destination-not Africa! Vaccinations
for cholera, smallpox, polio and yellow fever are not required and tap water is considered safe to drink. If traveling to Kruger
National Park, (and I can-not imagine anyone not making this part of there itinerary) you will need to take Malaria tablets.
Safety and Security
Be sensible. Generally we avoid the large cities because these, like right here in the USA, are the high crime areas. The Black
Africans that we have met were warm and friendly, but even they agree it is unsafe to wander some of the townships and villages,
especially at night. Normal precautions were taken in securing our valuables. We locked our doors and pulled our curtains while shopping and only used the large shopping malls with secure parking areas.
Your dollar will go a long way, and you will not go hungry. There are a wide variety of local dishes you can sample, all types of
seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, wonderful steaks at about a third of the cost as in the USA.
In our travels we were amazed at how clean we found the country. South Africa will surprise and delight you-it did us!
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