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South AfricaThe country of South Africa covers nearly 472,000 square miles across the southernmost tip of the African continent. With a population of roughly 43 million inhabitants, the South African Constitution recognizes 11 official languages, of which English ranks as fifth most commonly spoken. The country is divided into nine provinces, with 1,864 miles of coastline shared by Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. North American visitors to South Africa — especially those hoping to spend time at the beach — would do well to remember that the seasons are reversed from those in the northern hemisphere, making October through May the warmer summer months here.
The imposing silhouette of Table Mountain towers over Cape Town and Table Bay in the Western Cape province and is a natural wonder that's not to be missed. A modern aerial cableway transports sightseers from base to peak, rotating a full 360 degrees as it ascends to ensure the best views are had by all. On the level summit, which stretches almost two miles from east to west, guests can visit the restaurant or a bistro, as well as a souvenir shop. Outdoor adventures available on Table Mountain include hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, rock climbing and abseiling — though the deceptive difficulty levels demand a hired guide for any of these activities.
In the KwaZulu-Natal province, the highly commercial beachfront at Durban is an enormous draw. With its paved promenade, restaurants, bars and fun parks lining the beachfront, there's more than just sun and surf to keep vacationers entertained. uShaka Sea World is a world-class marine theme park, including an aquarium, dolphin and seal stadiums, and a penguin rookery to help promote conservation awareness and offer guests amazing up-close experiences with marine wildlife.
A short drive to the north lies Umhlanga Rocks, a medium-sized beach resort town with a laid-back family feel. The O'Conner Promenade stretches the length of the Umhlanga beachfront, with park benches and distance markers making it perfect for walking or jogging. Visitors here can try scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, whale- and dolphin-watching cruises, or golfing at one of several nearby courses.
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