Summer is about to sizzle.
Join SABC News’ Morning Live as we follow the sun this holiday season.
We’ll share with you some of the hot tourism spots and celebrate the sunny side of summer holidays in South Africa.
The Soweto Towers in Johannesburg are an unmissable iconic part of the suburb’s rich history and heritage. The graffiti-painted landmarks, situated in Orlando have attracted both local and international tourists looking for adventure and adrenaline-filled activities including the feared, 100 metres bungee jump, swing, and drop to the ground. As part of Morning Live’s “Follow the Sun” summer campaign, SABC News reporter Chriselda Lewis i took to the the Towers.
The Follow-the-sun meander across South Africa found itself back in the Eastern Cape, getting up close and personal with the giants of the African bush. The Addo Elephant National Park is home to more than 700 Elephants. The park was founded back in 1931 to provide sanctuary to the 11 elephants that were still roaming in the fast-developing area of the Sunday River valley.
it grew over the years and is now home to the big five, but also two giants of the deep blue, the white shark and the southern right whale in the marine section of the park.
Tourists can drive through the park in their vehicles or take guided drives, often getting close enough to the elephants to reach out and touch them, something that is forbidden and strongly discouraged as they remain wild animals. The water holes are popular viewing areas as the elephants often converge to drink and cool down.
The park also offers a fenced braai and picnic area in the middle of the park, allowing guests to get out of their vehicles and touch nature. And all of this is just 50 kilometers away from the bustling Gqeberha in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.
On Thursday 7 December, Sakina Kamwendo ventured to the North West Province to fulfill her bucket list dream of riding in a hot air balloon while “Following The Sun”.
Hidden in the scenic Magalies River Valley’s Skeerpoort, the Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris has been operating since 1981, offering visitors unique and unforgettable sunrise memories as they drift majestically high above the Magaliesberg range.
As we continue to explore what our country has to offer this holiday season in our “Follow The Sun” summer campaign, Sakina explored what makes hot air balloon flights so popular, by talking to Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris CEO Dale de Klerk and the Chief Pilot and Director Tracy Robb.
Share in Sakina’s experience below:
On Thursday 30 November Sakina Kamwendo took about to explore the Gold Reef City theme park.
WATCH | Some of the locations visited:
30th November 2023. SABC Reporter, Lwandile Mbulali describes his Wild Coast experience.
“Traveling in November from Centane to Wavecrest hotel in the Wild Coast is a memory on its own. While this is by gravel road, you get to experience beautiful landscapes and experience how locals live. The Wild Coast is visible from afar especially you see villages built along the coast. Two rivers, Nxuxha and Nqusi meet just in front of Wavecrest hotel as they empty to the ocean. Relaxing on the Sundowner river cruise is one of the best experiences as got to experience different species along the Nxuxha rivers spanning more than three-kilometers.”
