South Africa, often called ‘a world in one country’, offers a diverse range of experiences for travelers. To truly understand and appreciate this extraordinary destination, exploring its literature is just as important as exploring its landscapes. This guide provides a curated list of books to read before your trip, along with insights into the best times to visit, ensuring an unforgettable South African adventure.
Books to Read Before You Go
The diverse continent has no shortage of inspiration for stories. It’s supplied us with an endless stream of books to consume during our travels. Here are some essential reads that offer a deeper understanding of South Africa and its people:
- Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela:
An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life, Mandela’s autobiography is essential reading for an understanding of South Africa. "As I finally walked through those gates to enter a car on the other side, I felt - even at the age of seventy-one - that my life was beginning anew. My ten thousand days of imprisonment were over.” What more can be said about Nelson Mandela? He is possibly one of the most influential and inspirational Africans to have lived. When he passed away in 2013, it was a loss to the world. His autobiography covers the span of his life up until he becomes president of South Africa.
- Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee:
South African author J. M. Coetzee won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and this beautiful but tragic novel left me traumatized. It’s a dark and disturbing tale of disgrace. A university professor is dismissed from his job after an affair. He escapes to his daughter’s farm in the Eastern Cape and is forced to come to terms with the reality of life after an attack in which his daughter is raped and impregnated and he is brutally beaten. The book is heavy, but it does a great job of depicting the violence of post-apartheid South Africa.
- Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton:
The deeply moving story of Reverend Kumalo’s quest for justice.
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- The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony:
In some ways, Lawrence Anthony’s story about the bond he forms with a wild elephant herd captures the magic you can only find in Africa. In order to save a rogue herd from being culled, Lawrence Anthony introduces them to his private game reserve, Thula Thula, in South Africa. What ensues is a heartwarming story that connects the audience with the beauty of these amazing creatures. The connection that Lawrence forms with the matriarch of the herd will transform the way you perceive animal intelligence and emotion. (His next book, The Last Rhinos, is also worth reading).
Kruger National Park - When is the best time to visit the Kruger National Park?
Best Times to Visit South Africa
Most of South Africa is warm and sunny for most of the year, and the country can be visited at any time. However, some seasonal factors are worth taking into consideration, bearing in mind that summer and winter are an inversion of the northern hemisphere, with winter falling over May-August and summer over October-March.
For Wildlife Viewing
If game viewing is your top priority, then the time to be in South Africa is during the dry winter months, which offer the best conditions for spotting wildlife in Kruger Park, Sabi Sands and most other reserves. Partly, this is because the lack of temporary waterholes forces thirsty animals to concentrate along rivers and other perennial sources of drinking water, but it also helps greatly that the vegetation thins out, allowing far better visibility. Better still, the peak game-viewing months of August and September are unpopular with foreign visitors, so many private lodges offer substantial low-season discounts, and the vehicle traffic in public reserves such as Kruger is quite low (except during school holidays).
Map of safari destinations in South Africa
For Cape Town
By contrast, Cape Town is most climatically alluring in summer, though this is also the main tourist season, and facilities can be very crowded.
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For Drakensberg
Another area that can be problematic in winter is the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, which gets very cold at night and often receives snow at higher altitudes.
For Namaqualand
Scenically, most parts of the country are greenest and lushest in summer, while August and September is the best time to experience the spring wildflowers in Namaqualand.
Top Destinations
- Kruger National Park: Simply one of the largest and finest game reserves anywhere in Africa, Kruger Park protects substantial numbers of all the Big Five. It’s ideal for budget-conscious self-drivers, but those seeking a more luxurious guided safari are pointed to the exclusive Sabi Sands and other private reserves along its western border.
- Cape Town: Steeped in colonial history, the Mother City houses the country’s oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, as well as the Company Gardens founded by Van Riebeeck and a bevy of contrasting museums.
- uKhahlamba-Drakensberg: Running 200km along the Lesotho border, this vast mountain range has hiking and rambling opportunities to keep you busy for months. A scenic highlight is the Amphitheatre in Royal Natal Park, while Giant’s Castle harbours one of the region’s most impressive and accessible rock art sites.
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