South Africa
There is more to South Africa than its size. Three times the dimension of Texas, the second largest American state, this complex family travel destination varies greatly from bustling modern cities to quaint villages and towns and from a raw subtropical coastline to the Kalahari Desert and bushveld in the north. What's more, South Africa's wealth extends beyond chic, metropolitan Cape Town and the abundant wildlife found in the Kruger National Park.... Read More
Penned the 'Rainbow Nation' for its cultural diversity, South Africa has reconciled with its past and is truly a coming together of the continent's cultures. Take-in one of the many cultural events and enjoy theatre, dance, opera, and cabaret as well as classical music and jazz. Visit a museum and introduce the kids to the history of South Africa as well as fine art and African craft. Tour a World Heritage Site and discover the complexity, not to mention the atrocities, of mankind.
In South Africa, the diversity extends to the wild. With over 800 species of birds and animals, a wildlife safari goes well beyond the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo). And wildlife viewing need not be limited to the bush. With 3000 km or nearly 1900 miles of coast, South Africa is one of the best places in the world to observe sea life, even from shore.
Outdoor activities do not end there. South Africa is an adventure traveler's paradise, even for those traveling with kids. Try you hand at scuba diving, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, canoeing, surfing, hot air ballooning and even hang gliding.
Penned the 'Rainbow Nation' for its cultural diversity, South Africa has reconciled with its past and is truly a coming together of the continent's cultures. Take-in one of the many cultural events and enjoy theatre, dance, opera, and cabaret as well as classical music and jazz. Visit a museum and introduce the kids to the history of South Africa as well as fine art and African craft. Tour a World Heritage Site and discover the complexity, not to mention the atrocities, of mankind.
In South Africa, the diversity extends to the wild. With over 800 species of birds and animals, a wildlife safari goes well beyond the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo). And wildlife viewing need not be limited to the bush. With 3000 km or nearly 1900 miles of coast, South Africa is one of the best places in the world to observe sea life, even from shore.
Outdoor activities do not end there. South Africa is an adventure traveler's paradise, even for those traveling with kids. Try you hand at scuba diving, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, canoeing, surfing, hot air ballooning and even hang gliding.
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History & Culture
Whether you are interested in early man, the Voortrekker or Boer trek from Cape Town to Natalia, or Apartheid, the history of South Africa is a lesson in extremes. Home to the Khoikhoi, Kora, San Sesotho, Tsongo, Tswana, Xhosa and Zulu tribes as well as the Afrikaans, South Africa's cultural geography is a smorgasbord of language and identity. While Nelson Mandela and Stephen Bico may be South Africa's best known political personalities they are not the only. Learn more about the individuals that helped shape this southern nation.
South African History
South African History online Mrs Ples & Early Man Science in Africa SafariNow.com History of Apartheid BBC Maps
Online maps are a great family travel planning resource and great way to get the kids involved in a family vacation. Use online maps of South Africa to pinpoint your family travel destination, identify points of interest and plan your itinerary. Map mountain ranges, national parks and game reserves. And use online maps to learn about the history, geography and politics of the land.
Books
The breath of South African literature goes beyond Nadine Gordimer and JM Coetzee, awarded the coveted Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 and 2003 respectively. Find books by South African authors whether your interest is guidebooks, novels or history. Learn about the history of black literature in South Africa. Find books for kids and read reviews on South African literature for children. Get recommended reading lists for travel to South Africa and in addition to introducing younger children to your family vacation destination and getting teens and tweens ready for a family trip embark on a journey through books.
South African Authors
The Postcolonial Web History of Black South African Literature South African History online South African Children's Literature University of South Africa Reading Lists kids can travel recommends 
Longitude Music & Sound
South African music is all about a coming together of ideas. From the Dutch colonial era to modern times South Africans have blended local music and Western song to create unique styles such as mbaqanga, bubblegum and kwaito. Learn more about the history of South African music and explore South African song online. Don't limit your exploration of sound to music. Explore wildlife through sound. Listen to an elephant trumpet and a lion snarl and roar. Learn to identify birdcalls before you depart on a bird watching tour.
South African Music
Music.org.za South African Rock Digest Ukhozi FM South African Wildlife Sounds The British Library News
Local newspapers provide insight to local culture in a way books can't. Read South African newspapers online and brush up on South African current events. Get South African news and, in addition to discovering what South Africans are reading, find out what's happening.
Kids' Stuff
Did you know that South Africa is home to both the largest and smallest land mammals? Discover trivia and fun facts about South Africa. Learn about the country, people and the land.
Organizations
Associations and non-profit organizations can be a valuable resource as well as means to get involved. Wildlife conservation may be the principle focus of non-profit organizations in South Africa but it is not the only. Find out more about a few of the organizations involved in conservation matters ranging from South Africa's marine and animal life to cultural and natural treasures and the environment.
Wildlife Conservation and the Environment
Endangered Wildlife Trust Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa BirdLife South Africa World Heritage Sites UNESCO World Heritage Centre |
Recommended Reads for Family Travel to South Africa