The signs of South Africa reflect two realities coexisting within the country hosting 2010’s World Cup: the diversity of wildlife, and the high crime rate.

A hyena would visit our camp at night, as evidenced by glowing eyes in the darkness.

In late November 2008, I embarked upon a 5-day safari of Kruger National Park in South Africa.

We saw elephants, rhinos, hippos, leopards, cheetahs, and the rest. The lions eluded us

Highlights -

meeting up with Warren at the airport
wine tasting tour
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point tour
District Six Museum and visiting the townships
Visiting Robben Island
couchsurfing with Hannes for 3 nights
couchsurfing with Christal for 5 nights
climbing Lion’s Head at sunrise and walking around atop Table Mountain
people watching at cafes
lunch in Camp’s Bay
whale watching in Hermanus
cage diving with [...]

I used my last few days in South Africa to tie up loose ends and explore a little of Johannesburg, the city which inspired plenty of fear in me and most people who pass through it. I organized a custom tour with the same guide who took me around Soweto. We visited Constitution Hall, the [...]

Dion, the guide/driver/cook for my Delta adventure, was sipping coffee in Bob’s kitchen a full 20 minutes earlier than my scheduled 5:30am pickup. He looked comfortable in a raggy t-shirt and shorts, his feet would remain bare for the entire journey.

I grabbed my bag and Bob opened the driveway gate [...]

#17 – From Matthew:
Ok here’s one for South Africa. Try an apparent South African delicacy called Skop:
“Skop. Head of a cow, sheep or goat. The head is first scrubbed with a sharp instrument like a razor to remove skin and unwanted parts like ears and the nose are then cut out. The head [...]

I spent my day after the safari at one of the big malls outside Jo’burg uploading photos to Flickr, buying a new rain-resistant jacket to replace my deteriorating North Face jacket, and catching a matinée showing of “Quantum of Solace.” The mall was decorated for the holidays, with cheerful music playing over the sound system. [...]

Myself, Lea (Belgium) and Moira (Canada) awoke before dawn for a 3-hour game walk near camp with two armed park rangers. It was my last chance to see a leopard, or maybe even a lion, though the idea of encountering any of the animals up close was concerning. We started with a [...]