Book Description

Seasoned travellers know that the journey is half the experience. It is in this spirit that South Africa by Road gives insight into the many national treasures that line our highways and byways – from vibrant cities to charming country towns and one-horse dorps steeped in history. South Africa by Road: A Regional Guide is more than a mere travel guide; it is a comprehensive handbook to the country. The ultimate companion for any road trip, this book offers sound advice on the best routes, and contains all that holiday-makers need to know when planning their next vacation. Stunning full-colour photographs and an interesting mix of side panels will inspire travellers to take to the tarred and gravel roads of South Africa, and explore the many absorbing nooks and crannies of our extraordinarily diverse country. Each chapter gives an overview of a region’s climate, flora and fauna, as well as history and heritage, and highlights the most noteworthy places. Ideas for what to do in each location are similarly outlined, as are key activities, routes and trails. From hot-air ballooning to white-water rafting, 4x4 trails to strolls in the countryside, spelunking to visiting museums, and architecture to festivals, there is something for everyone. Customised full-colour maps in each chapter are marked with game reserves, national parks, nature reserves, hot springs and places of interest, and show toll roads, passes and national, secondary and dirt roads to help you plan your journey. Excellent value for money, this handy and authoritative guide should be your first purchase in preparation for any journey in and around South Africa. So get your tyres checked and pack the padkos, there is a fascinating country waiting to be explored. The late Pat Hopkins graduated with a degree in history and political science from the former University of Natal, now the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He won awards for his travel writings and authored more than 18 books including Place: A Collection of South African Travel and Landscape Quotations, 101 Beloved Bars of Southern Africa and Voëlvry: The Movement that Rocked South Africa, all published by Zebra Press. Willie Olivier has explored the highways and byways of southern Africa for the past 30 years, covering thousands of kilometres on foot and by road. He is the author of numerous travel books, including African Adventurer’s Guide to Mozambique and Hiking Trails of South Africa, all available from Random House Struik. He lives in Windhoek. Denise Slabbert is a television producer and travel writer based in Johannesburg. In addition to running her own production company, she writes for a number of magazines and newspapers and is a regular contributor to the South African Tourism website. She is the author of four books, including Random House Struik’s South Africa Through the Seasons and Offbeat South Africa. In preparation for South Africa by Road: A Regional Guide, award-winning photographer Jéan du Plessis travelled the length and breadth of the country, magnificently capturing the land. Based in Cape Town, he worked for the newspaper Die Burger for 30 years before embarking on a freelance career. He has published several books with Random House Struik, including the acclaimed Namibia: A Visual Celebration.