Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you will notice a landscape composed of a backdrop of wide open spaces, blue mountains and blood-red sunsets. These scenes abound, but given the nature of the culture in South Africa, your attention could swiftly switch to a small boy gallantly escorting herds of cattle, end to end, over a rainbow-like walkway crossing one of the largest and busiest highways in South Africa. Culture makes Africa special and aside from beautiful landscapes, this kind of exuberant and contrasting culture in South Africa is what you really should experience.
Imagine this scenario for a moment: You are hopelessly stranded deep inside the African interior, without a spare tyre and waiting for help. You prepare to flag down the first car that passes by. "When will that be?" you think to yourself. Time wears on. You picture yourself dragging your dehydrated self over the many kilometres of parched semi-arid terrain towards the nearest town, while hordes of hungry vultures looming overhead contemplate you for lunch.
Thankfully, a small, dust-battered truck pulls up and this nightmarish vision quickly dissolves. Tough looking men gaze out of the back of the truck, peering at you with hardened looks acquired through labouring this tough, untamed land. The uncertainty and tension is broken by their sympathetic smiles and they drive you, happily and with good cheer, to the nearest service station and back to your car where you are kindly helped to fit your newly repaired tyre.
Now that you're safely back on the road you begin to realize the meaning of genuine hospitality, known within the culture in South Africa as 'geselligheid'. Thankful that you have just had the actual experience (a certain something you felt) you now have a connection, whole-heartedly, with the people and culture in South Africa.
This is not a heat-induced delusion or an isolated event. It is the actual story of one of our clients, who broke down while driving across the arid West Coast diamond fields of Namibia. Travellers have confirmed many of these kind-hearted acts that have occurred during their experimental African odysseys.
Perhaps it has to do with the land itself or its unrestricted nature. The reason why people help each other, whether a stranger or a friend. This doesn't mean South Africa is a nation of altruistic saints. Leave your camera in your car on a downtown side-street and the chances of it being there after lunch are less than great.
What then is being said of this country? These vast unspoilt spaces and unbridled wildernesses. This wild place where the civilised nature and unique culture of its people are measured by the kind-hearted attitude experienced so frequently by many travellers.
What is the simple reason so many of our visitors from the Northern Hemisphere return here again and again? It can only be found in the actual experience of South Africa's culture and the friendship of its people.
The many answers to this question can be shown over and over in the friendly smiles you receive walking through a township market; in the respect and tolerance shown, visiting the sacred sites and cultural icons of the people; and in the greetings and genuine concern felt while within the hospitable arms of local establishments.
Perceptions about "Africa" have been changing slowly, but they are nonetheless changing. Foreign visitors used to believe that herds of elephants roamed the dusty streets of local areas and that to go hiking alone in the pristine African hills meant meeting lions, giant spiders and possibly being attacked by masked warriors with six foot spears.
The herds of elephants do exist, relegated to the African game farms existing in remote areas throughout the continent. The pristine hills stretch from one end of the Cape Peninsula to the other, like a giant smile peering down over the valleys below, but the wild beasts have long since been tamed and the hills are safely open to all who would venture into them.
If you are looking for the archetypal African adventure, laden with richly diverse wildernesses and infinite possibilities, come and experience the warmth and hospitality characteristic of this country. Trust South Africa to set the stage and the cast to be our culture.
escape tours are a group of experienced travellers who have been exploring Southern Africa since 1976. We would like to share with you our combined experience and extensive travel knowledge, acquired through our passion for exploring the unlimited potential that South Africa has to offer.
after renovation cleaning Glenview ..Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will... Read More
The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
You aren't lightweight backpacking if you are carrying twenty-five pounds... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More
The owner can attempt small inflatable boat repair if factory-gluing... Read More
The first recorded mapping of what is now Koombana Bay... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your... Read More
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
no-contract cleaning service Lincolnshire ..The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Inflatable boats are made from flexible material, usually rubber, canvas,... Read More
Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
The state of Goa on the West coast of India,... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
Outdoors |