Things to Do in South Africa

Shark Diving
Observing and diving with Great White sharks can provide one of the most thrilling experiences of a lifetime. Numerous operators run cage diving trips around Gansbaai (two hours from Cape Town) where the open stretch of water between Dyer Island and the mainland is referred to as the shark diving capital of the world. Trips aim to educate people about the Great White shark as well as provide an up close and personal encounter from within the safety of a cage lowered into the water from the boat. People have the opportunity to watch and photograph the sharks feeding at the surface alongside the boat, and the very brave can then take turns inside the cage, which is let down about three feet (1m) below the surface of the water. Great White sharks are in the Gansbaai area all year round, but are here in their highest density during the winter months from May to October.

Game Safaris
One of the main attractions of a trip to South Africa is a game-viewing safari. Numerous game parks are scattered throughout the country, but it is the oldest, largest and most well-known wildlife conservation area, the Kruger National Park, that is the destination of choice for most international visitors. 'Big Five' viewing opportunities abound in many of the parks and many private game reserves, such as Shamwari in the Eastern Cape, have the added attraction of being malaria-free. Parks offer guided walking and jeep safaris, and night drives, as well as self-drive safaris for those with their own cars.

Bungy jumping
The historic Bloukrans River Bridge at Storms River, situated on South Africa's scenic Garden Route, is the setting for the highest commercial bungy jump in the world, at 525ft (160m). The actual bridge is higher, but jumpers gain access to the arch support below the road by way of a specially designed walkway, which is a breathtaking experience in itself. The jump is operated by Kiwi Extreme who have more than 10 years experience in bungy jumping.

Whale watching
Every year from July to November whales can be seen along the southern coast of South African shores, traveling thousands of miles to mate and calve in the safe and warm waters of protected bays. The 'heart of the Whale Coast' is Hermanus, renowned as the best whale-watching area in the country, where Southern Right whales can be seen in Walker Bay, often within 33 feet (10m) from shore. Walker Bay is recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the top 12 whale viewing destinations in the world. In general, the whale route stretches from the Western Cape up the east coast, including places along the Garden Route such as Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay (especially Keurbooms River and Robberg Peninsula), and the Tsitsikamma National Park coastline. The De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve is also popular during the whale season for its relatively new Whale Trail, a five-day hiking trail that offers fantastic whale viewing opportunities for three days along its coastal stretch. Numerous whale-watching boat excursions are offered in the Western Cape.

Wine tasting
Known for producing some of the best export quality wines in the world, wine tasting in South Africa is a must. With a plethora of farms to whet the appetite, visitors can meet the winemakers, enjoy the fruits of their labor and order their wines to be shipped home at discounted rates, all while enjoying cheese, olives or fine food in the beautiful countryside dotted with rolling vineyards and mountains. The main wine producing terroirs of the South Africa are nestled together in the Western Cape and most are accessible from Cape Town on a day trip. Key regions include the R62 route, which covers world-renowned farms in Stellenbosch, Robertson, Franschhoek and Paarl. Some of the oldest and most picturesque vineyards in the Western Cape are Groot Constantia - only a short drive form the center of Cape Town - and Boschendal in the heart of Stellenbosch whose wines are highly acclaimed and awarded. Nederberg in Paarl is South Africa's leading and most decorated winery, winning more international and domestic awards than any other in South Africa. But although young, Kleine Zalse in Stellenbosch is hot on its heels.The Swartland, Overberg and Botrivier terroirs are all known for their distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon and spicy Shiraz, while the south coastal region is renowned for its crisp dry Sauvignon Blanc due to the Atlantic sea breeze. The eastern KwaZulu-Natal coast is new to the wine scene but is showing signs of promise while some top wine is produced in the Orange River valley where the river creates a cool microclimate that favors white wines. Whether opting to drive yourself or do an organized tour, there are so many farms to be visited that wine-tasting in South Africa, like a fine, well-aged Cabernet, should be enjoyed slowly with friends.

Golf
That some golf tour operators are also safari operators should hint at some of the course features. Adventure sportsmen and golfers don't usually find common ground but the Kruger National Park's course Skukuza balances the golf game with game of lions, rhinos, snakes, and leopards. At the country's best course, Leopard Creek, wildlife such as giraffes and wildebeests grace the scenery. The most scenic, Cathedral Park, wraps around lush but rugged African landscape. While these are highlights for those that arrive, most choose to visit because of warm weather and cheap green fees. Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban all have great courses with mountain or ocean scenery. Cape Town can mix golf vacations with other tourist attractions such as famous beaches, nightlife and nearby wine estates. A Jack Nicklaus signature course is playable nearby at Pearl Valley. From Johannesburg it is worth traveling to Sun City and staying in the spectacular palace like resort. Less traveled, but perhaps making for the best golf vacations, are the courses along the Garden Route. Here hometown hero Ernie Els has a course design to his name. Just make sure to be careful searching for a ball in the rough.

Surfing
South Africa offers some serious world-class surfing with two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) delivering grinding swells to a vast expanse of coastline extending all the way from the Namibian border on the arid west coast to the Mozambique border at the far northern corner of the sub-tropical east coast.    Surfers should pack 4mm wetsuits for the west coast, 3mm wetsuits for the south and south-east coastlines and a shorty for the winter months along the Kwazulu-Natal coastline.   The west coast extending from Cape Town up to the Namibian border receives reasonably consistent Atlantic swells. The cold Benguela current predominates in this area and it is common for surfers to wear a hoody and booties, particularly in the summer months when upwelling can bring surface water temperatures down to 53°F (12°C).   Surfing spots abound in the vicinity of Cape Town and crowding is usually not a big factor. Key breaks include Llandudno, Noordhoek, Long Beach, Outer Kom, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg (a tame wave, perfect for beginners). Gary's Surf School is located in Muizenberg and many amateurs and intermediate surfers frequent this renowned school for coaching. About 3 hour's drive up the west coast is Elands Bay with its classic left hand point break as well as some other good beach breaks in the vicinity.   The Garden Route is a region of South Africa blessed with great right hand point breaks and warmer water than the west coast, due to the temperate Agulhus current flowing through the Indian Ocean. Surfing highlights dotted along this stretch of coast include Stilbaai, Mossel Bay, Victoria Bay, Cape St Francis and the infamous Jeffrey's Bay, the perfect excuse for a road trip. The all have right-hand point break setups and are best visited in the winter months when swells are more consistent and winds more often offshore. Jeffrey's Bay is often regarded as the best right-hand breaking wave in the world, although one may well encounter crowding and fierce locals, of both the human and fish variety.   The Wild Coast (known as the Transkei homeland during the apartheid era) extends from East London to the southern border of Kwazulu-Natal. As the name implies, the area is largely unexplored and road access to the coast is generally poor. There are some epic and well-known right hand point setups such as Coffee Bay and Mdumbe, but generally many of the spots are kept under wraps as secret reef and beach breaks for those willing to explore the region.  The epicenter of the South African surfing industry is located in Durban on the sub-tropical east coast, an area bathed by the warm waters of the Mozambican current. Ditch your wetsuit, but expect crowds. Good beach breaks in the Durban area include New Pier and North Beach, while heavy reef breaks such as Cave Rock will test even the most experienced surfers in an area known as the Bluff. Further north, Umhlanga Rocks, Ballito and Richards Bay are all blessed with consistent waves in the winter months.

Wedding and Honeymoon
A wedding and honeymoon in South Africa is unforgettable. Its beautiful weather and friendly people are enjoyable at a variety of romantic wedding and honeymoon settings; from forests on the Garden Route to stunning beaches in KwaZulu-Natal, or the wilds of the Kruger National Park and surrounds. Cape Town is another beautiful wedding or honeymoon destination, perhaps even the best due to its variety of attractions, cultures and facilities. There are various hotels, lodges and holiday resorts in South Africa that provide unique wedding and honeymoon venues.Wedding and Honeymoon things to see and doA wedding or honeymoon couple in South Africa will find many intriguing things to see and do. In Cape Town, visit the world-famous Table Mountain or Nelson Mandela's Robben Island. Traveling through the Garden Route, the Knysna waterfront and lagoon or the Tsitsikamma Rainforest are worth exploring, as are some of the many coastal dive sites. The water gets warmer further up the coast and there are lovely beach towns to visit in the Transkei and KwaZulu-Natal. And of course, the Kruger National Park is undoubtedly a truly African 'Big 5' experience!South Africa Wedding FormalitiesCouples wishing to get married in South Africa will need to provide identity documents and birth certificates. If either party is not a resident of South Africa, they will need to show a valid passport. Two witnesses need to be present at the wedding, with their identity documents, to sign the marriage register. Civil marriages in South Africa can only be officiated by an authorized marriage officer. The South African Department of Home Affairs and About.com have detailed marriage information for couples.

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