The unforgettable virtual South African tour

Johannesburg is the economic powerhouse of South Africa and earned its title as the City of Gold through the gold rush of the 19^th century. Nearby is the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site, where an estimated 40% of the earth’s human ancestor fossils have been found.

There are so many wonderful activities to do in and around the city. One of the most popular must-see sites is Constitution Hill. Once the site of a notorious prison (Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once held there), it is now home to a museum and South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court.

Other recommended excursions include Victoria Yards, an up-and-coming urban-regeneration precinct in Johannesburg that boasts amazing art and street food at its monthly Sunday markets; Soweto’s Vilakazi Street, which is near the site of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and was once home to two Nobel Peace laureates – Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; and the Apartheid Museum, which documents the rise and fall of apartheid, and captures what it was like to live in South Africa during that time.

Pretoria is South Africa’s administrative capital. It was founded in 1855 by the Voortrekkers, a group of Dutch-speaking settlers who trekked into the interior of what is now South Africa, to escape British colonial rule in the Cape. It boasts the longest urban street in South Africa, Stanza Bopape Street (formerly known as Church Street).

Pretoria is also known as Jacaranda City because of its famous jacaranda-lined streets, which turn purple in October each year. Local university students usually write exams while the flowers are in bloom and there is a belief that it is good luck if jacaranda flower falls on your head.

Must-see sites include the fascinating Voortrekker Monument, an icon of Afrikanerdom; the impressive Herbert Baker-designed Union Buildings, the seat of government where the president has his office; the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria, which celebrates the art of South Africa and Africa; and the nearby Cullinan Diamond Mine – home of the largest rough gem diamond ever found and where one can do underground mine tours.

Durban is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and is a popular holiday destination, known for its beaches and warm, subtropical weather. It is also South Africa’s busiest port.

Every year between May and July, Durban finds itself in the middle of one of the greatest animal migrations in the world, the sardine run, when billions of sardines spawn and migrate northward along the east coast of South Africa. During this time, the sardines attract sharks, dolphins, whales and birdlife along the southern KwaZulu-Natal and northern Eastern Cape coastline.

When in Durban you must try a bunny chow, a popular South African fast-food meal of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry.

uShaka Marine World, a popular Durban attraction, is one of the largest aquariums in the world with 32 tanks and a dolphin and seal stadium. Apart from the magnificent marine sightings, you can snorkel with fish in its lagoon, enjoy rides at the water park, take a paddle-boat ride, and enjoy the food and drinks on offer.

Other exciting must-do excursions in Durban include the Golden Mile, a famous stretch of beachfront offering safe swimming areas and cultural activities that attracts joggers, surfers, sunbathers and water-sports enthusiasts; and the Durban Botanic Gardens, currently Africa’s oldest surviving botanical garden.