By James Scott Bankston
In the 1980s South
Africa was all over the media thanks to its cruel and repressive apartheid policy, which discriminated against the nation's black majority in favor of the white minority. In 1994 apartheid was abolished. Now that the country is no longer a political hot spot, travelers have started visiting it with clean consciences.
Zululand
Occupying much of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, this area is popular with backpackers and wildlife enthusiasts. There are several traditional villages that cater to tourists, Dumazulu the most authentic.
Johannesburg
Sadly, "Jo'burg" will forever be linked with the tragedy of apartheid. To learn more about those ugly days, visit the Apartheid Museum. To see how far South Africa still has to go, sign up for a tour of the vast Soweto ghetto.
Sun City
This resort also became notorious in the 1980s when a group of musicians recorded an album on which they declared "I ain't gonna play Sun City." With the end of apartheid, Sun City lost much of its stigma, and is now a popular, if pricey, gambling and entertainment destination.
Kruger National Park
Explore this vast game reserve on your own or with an organized tour. Most of the "big name" species of African wildlife live here. The camp cottages and lodges can be rented at affordable rates.
Cape Town
This city is best-known for its cable car rides up to Table Mountain, its beaches and its excellent surfing.
Jeffrey's Bay
This spot on the Sunshine Coast is beloved by backpackers and international surfers.
About the Author:
James Scott Bankston, of Austin, Texas, has been a writer and editor since 1985. His work has appeared in Citysearch.com, the Austin Chronicle, and various Demand Media sites. He has a B.A. with a double major in English and history from Sam Houston State University.
