Christian travel online

Tourism is a budding business in Southern Africa, with the growth of South Africa's tourism more than three times the global tourism rate.

That is no surprise considering the many and varied opportunities on offer. Find a whole world just at the bottom of Africa.

The sea experience ranges from calm and warm in KwazuluNatal to icy and wild in the Western Cape. The weather also offers all seasons from snow (although not exactly mountains of it), rain, wind, scorching heat and freezes (like recently experienced - particularly in Gauteng). Speaking of seasons, Spring is beautiful because it brings the promise of new life, but Autumn has been an absolute treat for me this year. My gorgeous 20-month old daughter has taught me to play and have so much fun in the leaves. Autumn will never be the same for me again. From wanting to wrap up inside, we now wrap up to go outside and return with red faces and dusty shoes.

I have to reiterate what an amazing part of the world we inhabit. Where else in the world can you find forests, beaches, mountains, wine farms, game, cities, fine dining and accommodation types to suit each different need? So it is really hardly a wonder tourism is such a treat here at the bottom of Africa.

Southern African tourism is a sensation to the soul and an absolute must. For every budget, there's an answer. If budget is no issue, then fine exquisite luxurious self catering and guest house accommodation is readily available. Game lodges or safari accommodation also ranges from budget camp style to the most luxurious tents in the world. For every class of traveler or tourist, there is an answer.

Our facilities are so popular and adventurous, that organisations treasure the chance to take staff into the country. A further wonder about South Africa and neighbouring countries' offerings is that regardless of where you are located, a chance to slip away to nature's special nurturing is never far away. Just a short trip outside of Johannesburg central business district and you can find yourself on a game drive. If you are located near the coast, the chances are it's a short trip and you get to dip your feet in either the Atlantic or Indian Ocean. And it is always very close to have the sensation of country. Although South Africa (or Southern Africa including neighbouring states) is relatively large, car rentals (again suited to every budget type) make your journey right within your fingertips. So whether you are a Southern African tourist, traveler or resident – make Southern African tourism part of your make-up. Experience life, go adventure and fill your being – that way you become refreshed, rejuvenated and educated. To affirm this, I can vouch that my 20-month old beloved has one of the best roars that I have ever heard and has known since she was a mere 12 months old that cheetahs actually meow and not roar. This, all from her own personal experience…. in Southern Africa!

Sutherland may be famous as one of the coldest places in South Africa, but it is also home to some spectacular historical sites as well as a Planetary Observatory.

Dutch Reformed Church:

The N G Church was designed by Charles Freeman who also designed the Dutch Reformed church of Graaff Reinet and the Standard Bank in Cape Town . During the Anglo Boer War, the church was invaded for 8 months by the British troops. Filled to capacity, it can seat 1200 people.

Tuinplaas Church:

When the farmers move their sheep from the cold Roggeveld area down to the Karoo , they have a communal once a year at the Tuinplaas Church 55 km out on the Matjiesfontein route.

Louw Museum:

The two very famous Afrikaans poets and writers N P van Wyk Louw and W E G Louw were born in this very same house. Together they achieved 6 Hertzog prices for literacy. Several other interesting displays are also to be seen at the Louw Museum.

Road to the Stars:

Plinths for the nine planets of the solar system were built to scale in the main road or Planetarium Highway, representing the size of the sun in comparison to the size of the planets and also the distance between the planets. Craftsman of the local community dressed the stonework.

English Cemetary:

The most interesting grave in the English Cemetery is that of a soldier drowned in a flash flood. He was given a communal burial and after the war the British government sent a military cross and a second grave was made. The soldier was thus buried twice. The Jewish Cemetery is also worth visiting.

Sutherland and the surrounding areas offer a lot of unusual places, scenes and events to entertain and amaze any traveller.

18 km out of town, one can enjoy the site of the seven telescopes of the Observatory, one being "SALT" (Southern African Large Telescope) which has the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. With this telescope one is able to see a candle flame on the moon. It has a mirror diameter of 11 metres.

Ouberg Pass has a lovely lookout post on the escarpment of the Roggeveld mountains 45 km out of town in a westerly direction. One is able to see the Ceres Karoo mountains about 200 km away.

Fransplaas Sheep Cheese (quite a name!) is the only sheep cheese farm in the country about 50 km out of town in the Calvinia direction. Sheep cheese is definately an acquired taste - be bold and do as the Aussies do!

The Koornlandskloof Tulips flower at the end of September, an interesting site filled with colour and worth visiting. Hiking and biking trails are also available with ample clean, cheap lodging.

Skurweberg, Verlatenkloof and Banksgate 4 × 4 Farms have exciting off-road routes as well as hiking and biking trails with ample lodging and beautiful scenery. Sterboom, Rye grass, Elephants feet and veld flowers are only some of the endangered species of flora to be found in this area.

Salpeterkop, the last active volcano south of the equator is to be found close to the observatory. It was active 66 million years ago. Seismologically the Japanese found that Sutherland and the surrounding area are now the quietest in the world!

On the farm Ezeljaht, 20 km out of town, one can enjoy a scenic two day hike, called the Silhouette Hiking trail.

Coming from Matjiesfontein, one has to drive the winding 15 km Verlatenkloof Pass climbing nearly a 1000 metres. It was designed by Thomas Bain, the son of the famous Bain who built the Bainskloof pass near Wellington.