South Africa is an exhilarating and complex country. With its post-apartheid identity still in the process of definition, there is undoubtedly an abundance of energy and a sense of progress about the place. Travellers are returning to a remarkable land that has been off the trail for way too long.

The infrastructure is constantly improving, the climate is kind and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. But if you want to understand South Africa, you'll have to deal with the full spectrum; poverty, the AIDS pandemic and violence remain a problem.

So, it is important to be careful, watch your surroundings and play it safe. 

Perhaps one of the most outstanding things about South African culture is that it is not one single culture, but rather a range of different cultures representing every level of a very stratified community. Hybrid mixtures of these different cultures also exist, making South Africa one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.

There are a number of cultural attractions in South Africa which are definitely worth visiting. Take, for instance, one of the most famous ones – that of Robben Island wherein Nelson Mandela, the first black president of the country, was once imprisoned for his efforts to free his people from oppression. In KwaZulu Natal you will find that the Zulu culture is still very much alive in the descendents of the ancient Zulu king Shaka at Shakaland. Here tribal dance and song is performed with vigor and you can explore the mysterious, ritualistic world of the Sangoma with much pomp and ceremony. In the Eastern Cape you’ll discover the remains of Saartjie Baartman – a san woman who suffered terrible humiliation at the hands of self-righteous Europeans and who has become a symbol of female empowerment and tribal rights recognition some 200 years after her death. A visit to the Drakensberg Mountains will make you privy to some of the oldest rock art in the country, while a trip to the many art galleries and theaters in most of the cities and towns is an excellent way to enjoy South African art and drama.

Music is another sphere of South African culture which exemplifies the range and diversity of this country’s culture. Classical music, although European in nature, is enjoyed regularly at al fresco concerts across the country amidst the beauty of large botanical gardens. Jazz is a favorite in the townships and it has developed and diversified into three distinctive genres: Township Jazz, Black Jazz, and Marabi. Kwaito is another favorite. Rock and pop are also popular and a number of South African musicians have created sounds which simply cannot be confined to a particular music group, but which are very South African in nature.

Getting there: 

There's more than one way of getting to South Africa. If you'd like to be a little different, you could hop on a cruise ship. All the big cruise liners dock in Cape Town and sometimes Durban but, for something a touch more unusual, try the RMS St Helena. Running from Southampton to Cape Town via St Helena, it's one of the last real old mail ships.

If you're really adventurous, you could sail to South Africa or, if you have the time, travel over Africa overland.

Flying, of course, is the most practical choice.

By plane: 

Airports Company South Africa operates South Africa's 10 principal airports - including three major international airports - which together handle over 200 000 aircraft landings and 23-million passengers annually.

OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International) is the major gateway, offering both domestic, African regional and international connections. There are also an increasing number of international flights direct to Cape Town, and a few direct to Durban.

Altogether there are more than 30 airports in SA, ranging from smaller airports for cross-border flights to and from neighbouring countries to larger airports for flights to and from other African airports.

Getting around:

The road infrastructure is excellent, so driving is a viable option, but South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.

While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.

Buses:

If you're not used to driving long distances, a bus may be a better idea than a rental car.

Check out Intercape, Greyhound and Translux, all of which offer a variety of national routes.

If you want to go seriously upmarket, Compassline offers tailor-made, personalised tours in luxuriously equipped Mercedes buses with a maximum of 12 spacious seats.

Trains:

Spoornet is the para-statal railway which covers the routes between the major cities. It's by no means luxurious or fast, but it's reasonably comfortable, clean and safe, and offers a relaxed way to see new parts of the country.

For real luxury, though, you have to try one of the world's most luxurious railways, the Blue Train, which runs a number of routes within South Africa, and some further afield.

Another great upmarket option is Rovos Rail, which operates beautifully restored, spacious, Edwardian-era carriages, which are drawn by steam locomotives for part of the trip.

But for the real railway enthusiast, there is no better choice than the Union Steam Ltd. These beautifully restored carriages are the original Blue Train – but in those days, there was only one bathroom per carriage. Although there are small concessions to modern taste, such as gas cooking instead of coal, everything – down to the uniforms and cutlery – is as it would have been 50 years ago.