5 things that make South Africa awesome

Source: Good News, 15/09/2015

"The bushveld is a place where the human element indeed shrinks into
utter insignificance, and grips you and subdues you and makes you one
with yourself" –Jan Christiaan Smuts, South African Prime Minister –
1870 – 1950


In a recent blog post, Kate Collins wrote about a few of the reasons
that make our country the incredible place that it is – a blog
inspired by a talk she had attended at Londolozi by none other than
Steuart Pennington, CEO of South Africa: The Good News.


The blogmentioned some of the natural wonders – The Blyde River Canyon
and the eight World Heritage sites of South Africa as well as the
leafy sidewalks and gardens of Johannesburg – recognised as the
world`s largest man-made forest.


Here are 5 things that make South Africa awesome
The Cape Floral Kingdom – The Richest of the World`s Six Floral Kingdoms
With the beginning of spring it seems appropriate to mention that
South Africa, namely the Cape Floral Kingdom, has the richest of the
world`s six floral kingdoms. The Table Mountain National Park in the
Western Cape has more plant species in its 22 000 hectares than New
Zealand or the British Isles. It contains nearly 20% of the
continent`s flora of which 68% of its species are endemic (plant
species that only occur in this region and are not found anywhere else
in the world).

From August through to the beginning of October, the Cape regions of
South Africa have some of the best wildflower sightings. Popular
places for flower spotting are along the West Coast of South Africa in
the West Coast National Park and in the Northern Cape in the
Namaqualand National Park.


The World`s Second Highest Waterfall
South Africa holds another world record with the second highest
waterfall situated within the Royal Natal National Park in the
Drakensberg. The Tugela Falls consist of five drops with the highest
sheer drop at 441 meters. The highest waterfall in the world is the
Angel Falls in Venezuela – there have however been many disputes as to
which one is actually the tallest. The Angel Falls is universally
regarded as having the tallest single uninterrupted drop of any
waterfall in the world.


World Beating Wines
South Africa`s reputation for producing excellent wines is well known
and this has been recognised with many wine awards, most notably in
both the red and white single varietal categories that have regularly
won top prizes in the prestigious World Wine Awards. South Africa also
has the longest wine route (and we could also argue the most
beautiful) in the world along Route 62 (850 km), stretching from Cape
Town to Port Elizabeth.


At Londolozi we have a close relationship withGraham Beck winesand the
Graham Beck Brut N/V is our house MCC – this is also the same
sparkling wine that First Lady Michelle Obama elected for her husband
President Barrack Obama`s celebrations on his election night, and the
same wine that Nelson Mandela used to toast to his inauguration in
1994.


World`s Best Land-Based Whale-Watching Spot
The seaside town of Hermanus on the southern coast of the Western Cape
is a prime spot for whale watching and the best land-based spot to see
the giants of the sea as they come to the waters of the Cape to mate,
calve and nurse their young. The whales can be seen from as early as
June but usually depart by December each year – the most common whale
to spot is the Southern right but you`ll also be able to see humpback
and Bryde`s whales. The coastal town also has its very own Whale Crier
– the world`s only one – who blows a horn when whales are sighted. The
first whale crier Pieter Classen began at his post in 1992 and
continued until 1998. His role has since been taken over but the job
of the Whale Crier remains…


The Greatest Shoal on Earth
The Sardine run occurs every year during May through July when
millions of sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas bank. A
cold northerly current causes the sardines to move north from the
Agulhas bank up to Mozambique. While not much is known about this
phenomenon, it is believed that the water temperature has to drop
below 21 degrees Celsius in order for the migration to take
place.

The sheer numbers of sardines invites a feeding frenzy
to take place and superpods of dolphins, thousands of sharks, whales
and gannets find their place in the waters and chase after, gorging
mouthfuls of fish.
Source: Kate Collins via Londolozi