Safari and city life – An optimal safari travel plan

Going on Safari need not be only about visiting game parks and viewing animals. This is especially the case in South Africa where parks are dotted around the country, some quite near interesting towns and cities.  Here are a few suggestions for enhancing your safari experience.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth (population. 1 million) was once a main British-colonial centre. Its on the beautiful Indian Ocean coast – meaning great surf and temperate seas. It is just south of Addo Elephant Park, which is one of the easiest-to-reach and fullest game parks on the east coast.  There are hotels along the seafront in ‘PE’ as well as good restaurants, surf-board rental shops, and a yacht basin. In the centre of the old city the circular market square is worth a visit: there you can imagine the wagon trains bringing food from the hinterland to feed the city.  There is a fine city hall and other historical buildings include the Victorian-Gothic public library.

The mid-Victorian ‘Settler cottage’ at No. 7 Castle hill road was built in 1827 and has been restored so that visitors can experience life as it was for the British settlers in South Africa.  Interior ornaments have been kept in remarkable condition and lace displays and child's doll house are still perfectly intact.  Castle Hill road is found just west of the harbor and is very easy to access by foot.

Port Elizabeth is home to a beautiful, world-class Oceanarium.  While this attraction is an enjoyable visit, it can also offer a welcome break from the summer heat.  The aquarium has deadly sharks and beautiful tropical fish, and dolphins shows daily that often feature seals and penguins.

Port Elizabeth has few rainy days, but there is very little temperature difference from winter to summer.  The water temperature is near constant all year round, making this an ideal year-round vacation spot.

Beaufort West

On the outskirts of the Karoo National Park and the oldest town in the central Karoo desert is Beaufort West (population 40,000).  What was once swamp land and now is a semi-desert, this town is home to a small community and a fine nine-hole golf course for both members and visitors to the club.

A fine walk around the pear tree-lined streets of central Beaufort West shows the varying architectural styles – from colonial Victorian to Cape Dutch – and tells the story of those who have made their lives in Beaufort West.  The town claims the first town hall (now a museum) in the country. This sleepy town has produced one of the world’s finest surgeons – Christian Barnard was the first person to successfully complete a human heart transplant.

One attraction is the Beaufort West Craft Center that brings together thirty artists from the surrounding region to display and market their leather and wood crafts, their beads and hand-sewn garments.  Their market is located at the N1 highway crossing at Beaufort West and is open Monday to Saturday.

A primitive rock-art site is found in the neighbouring town of Nelspoort, where hunter-gather Bushman illustrated their stories of times past.  The areas is surrounded by “dolerite koppies” and ravines that go down over a thousand meters at points, creating a gorge that directs the Sout River.  Explore this landscape and the eleven marked sites that each tell a different story through rock engravings.  All visits to the sites are guided in order to protect the rock-art, so you must be sure to book ahead to ensure the availability of a guide.

Richards Bay

After spending some hot days at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the best ways to spend some city days is by taking the short drive down the coast to Richards Bay (population 320,000).  A main summer attraction in Richards Bay is the hugely popular Alkantstrand beach, where green lawns shaded by palm trees and white sunny sand are in equal amounts.  There are both lifeguards and shark nets, making this a safe place for the family. Look for the Meer-en-see lighthouse here where views extend over the beaches, harbour and downtown area.

Richards Bay has many things to do outdoors. These include snorkeling and biking, and kite surfing is quite popular here because of the consistent north-east wind.  A great broad-walk and waterfront shopping area are good places to start or end your day in town.

Richards Bay is warm and wet from January through May, while April to October  are the best months to visit the town. Then the temperatures average in the mid- to high-20s C (mid-70s-80s F).

Barberton

Barberton (population 25,000) sits just an hour outside Kruger Game Park and boasts one of the most interesting histories of any of South Africa’s towns.

It sits in the hills and is surrounded by prehistoric sites of interest to geologists. But it is also of interest to visitors with an eye to history. Here gold was discovered in the 1880s – and like the larger Johannesburg and Rand gold mines – it attracted miners from all over the world. This is where Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (author of ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ and South African politician) originated.

The town prospered as a mining camp, with a stock exchange, music halls, and saloons. It became the site of a Concentration camp for Boers during the Anglo-Boer war of 1899-1902.  Much of the old town remains, and there is a Heritage Walk with signs to guide the visitor.

Nearby Barberton is a smaller game park -- Songimvelo Nature Reserve – for those who want to spend more time viewing animals. Around the town are walks in the hills, which are also known for their bird life.

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