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.
Beecher limo rentals ..Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
Pictures of a massive dead Great White shark on the... Read More
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
There are so many selections available when it comes to... Read More
Bridgeview limo Chicago ..There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More
Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's... Read More
My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More
Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of... Read More
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like... Read More
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
Outdoors |