Eastern Cape and Limpopo
The Eastern Cape is situated along the south-eastern coast of South Africa and is the only province in South Africa, and one of the few places on Earth, where all seven biomes (major vegetation types) converge.
With approximately 820 km of unspoilt coastline, the beaches of the Eastern Cape are among the most impressive anywhere, stretching from the Tsitsikamma National Park on the south coast, across St Francis Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Algoa Bay, up to the pristine Wild Coast and south-eastern coast to Port Edward. Added to the diverse coastal experiences are a number of national parks and private game reserves which collectively cover an area greater than the Kruger National Park.
East London, South Africa's only river port, was originally established as a supply port to serve the military headquarters at King William's Town. The city's own waterfront development, Latimer's Landing, is situated on the banks of the Buffalo River. The East London Aquarium houses approximately 400 different species of marine and freshwater animals.
The East London Museum depicts the natural environment and rich heritage of the region. Best known for the prehistoric coelacanth, the Museum also displays reconstructions of the extinct dodo of Mauritius,along with the only known dodo egg in the world.
Port Elizabeth is a superb holiday destination, offering a diverse mix of eco-attractions. The Algoa Bay National Sailing Week is held annually in May. There are various scuba-diving sites. Other attractions include national parks and game reserves, South Africa's only traditional healing village, Kaya Lendaba, bird-watching, air flips, canoeing, various mountain-bike and horse-riding trails and organized outdoor excursions. Tourists can visit various museums and memorials, go on the Donkin Heritage Trail, take a ride on the famous Apple Express and visit the Oceanarium.
Grahamstown is sometimes referred to as the City of Saints, because of the more than 40 churches found in the town. The Standard Bank National Arts Festival is held there annually. Other attractions include various museums and historical buildings, botanical gardens, the Cathedral of St.Michael and St.George, nature reserves and hiking trails.
The Wild Coast draws many fishers. Catches include musselcracker and sardines. Southern Right whales and their calves are regularly spotted from May to November, and common and bottlenose dolphins are often seen close to shore. Coffee Bay is popular among surfers, anglers and shell collectors.
To the south, 'the Hole in the Wall' is a prominent landmark. Waves continuously crash through the huge hole in the cliff. The coast on both sides of the cliff is notorious for the number of ships that have been wrecked there. In addition to fishing, the giant sand dunes and rich oyster beds, the Wild Coast is renowned for its beautiful beaches.
Visitors to the rural village of Qunu are shown the plot where former President Nelson Mandela's childhood home used to stand, as well as his parents' graves.
Inland, the Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda displays the creative talent of the late Helen Martins. Statues of mermaids, wise men, camels and churches create a wonderland in the garden. Everything was built with broken bottles, bits of mirror and cement.
Over 200 houses in Graaff-Reinet have been restored to their original Victorian look and have been proclaimed national monuments. The Old Library Museum houses the Lex Bremner Fossil Collection of Karoo reptile fossils and a collection of Khoe and San art reproductions. Urquhart House has a popular genealogical research centre.
The first evidence of the presence of dinosaurs in South African can be viewed at Maclear.
The Eastern Cape has a variety of official conservation areas such as the Mkambati Nature Reserve, Mountain Zebra National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. In November 1999, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Valli Moosa, announced that the Department was working on a proposal to expand the Addo Elephant Park from 16 000 ha to 400 000 ha.
Limpopo
In November 1999, Limpopo announced that it had embarked on an intensive campaign to market its natural resources and heritage sites. The national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism pledged some R50 million towards promoting tourism in the province.
Known as the land of legends, the province is well endowed with cultural diversity, historic sites and tourist attractions.
Bushveld region
The Nylsvley Nature Reserve has one of the greatest concentrations of waterfowl and bushveld birds in South Africa. More than 400 species frequent the area.
Potgietersrus vicinity has several nature reserves. The Arend Dieperink Museum has a fine cultural-historical collection and the Makapan Caves are notable for their fossils. The Caves are being developed into an archaeological site.
The Thabazimbi district has a large concentration of private game reserves and is one of the fastest-growing ecotourism areas in the country. The Marekele National Park, with its Cape vulture colony, is a leader in the conservation of the black rhino outside of the Kruger National Park and the KwaZulu-Natal parks. Warmbaths is known for its hot springs, which attract more than a million visitors every year. There are a number of game reserves and leisure resorts in the area.
The Waterberg Range is rich in indigenous trees, streams, springs, wetlands and bird life. Cliffs known as 'the palace of the vultures' harbour a large breeding colony of Cape vultures. Nylstroom is the main town of this region.
Soutpansberg region
The Bakone Malapa Open-air Museum outside Pulukwane is a traditional Northern Sotho kraal. Men and women practise traditional skills such as making baskets, clay pots, furniture and utensils and preparing hides.
Zion City at Moria near Pulukwane is the headquarters of the Zion Christian Church, which attracts more than a million pilgrims every Easter.
The Mapungubwe Archaeological Site, situated 80 km west of Messina, lies within the boundaries of the newly-proclaimed Dongola/Vhembe National Park. It is one of the richest of its kind in Africa. Excavations in the Thirties uncovered a royal graveyard which included a number of golden artefacts.
The Schoemansdal Voortrekker Town and Museum, west of Louis Trichardt, is built on the site of an original Voortrekker village, and depicts their lifestyle between 1848 and 1852.
Also worth visiting is the Tshatshingo potholes, the mystical lake of Dzivhafundudzi and the holy forest at Phiphidi.
Lowveld region
The Modjadji Nature Reserve, north of Tzaneen, is named after the legendary Rain Queen, Modjadji, who is believed to have settled in the area early in the 16th century. The Reserve encompasses the world's largest concentration of the cycad species Encephalartos Transvenosus, also known as the Modjadji palm.
The Hans Merensky Nature Reserve and Mineral Spa on the southern banks of the Great Letaba River support a large variety of game. More than 200 bird species have also been recorded. At the Tsonga Kraal Open-air Museum, arts, crafts and traditional huts reflect the Tsonga lifestyle of about 100 years ago.
The Kruger National Park (northern section) is one of South Africa's biggest tourist attractions. The Park is home to a huge number and a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds and 147 mammal species, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant). Thulamela, in the northern part of the Kruger National Park, was opened to guided groups in June 1997. This followed seven years of archaeological excavations, which brought to light the skeletons of two ancient royals and a multitude of artefacts, including gold bangles, beads and a double gong. The kind of artefacts found proved that the skeletons had indeed been royalty.
In 1999, the first planned 4x4 route in the Kruger National Park was provisionally opened. The route is still to be approved after the completion of an environmental impact assessment.