Ever since South Africa had its own democratic elections back in 1994, there has been more and more interest in seeing what all the fuss about. What visitors to South Africa will discover are lush forests, jungle atmospheres, friendly natives welcoming all different people, cultural tapestries of diverse ethnicity, wildlife preserves and national parks, safekeeping the treasured wildlife that is so precious to the nation itself. Many people do not actually realize how much of South Africa remains unexplored, and untouched by the hands of man, while at the same time, the economy and social structure has been developing to compete with many different countries’ economies. There have been advances in industry as well as natural preservation in South Africa, and the natives to the country are growing stronger as a people because of it.
The various attractions in South Africa can be educational, fun, and awe inspiring for families, couples, and even individuals who came to relax and enjoy their vacation.

Take a tour the South Africa’s most recent national park, opened only recently in June 2007, Mokala Natural Park, and discover a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.
Visit the various Natural Botanical Gardens of South Africa, where amongst tropical rare flora, you can find the giant legendary Baobab trees.
The Northern Cape in South Africa, is where the famous small town is located; famous for the enormous Southern Africa Large Telescope, which is expected to draw in many astronomy oriented tourists.

Several tourists also love interacting with the rich cultural history of South Africa. There are over 500 different museums in South Africa, dedicated to just that. Here are few of the best:

• The National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria
• Transvaal Museum of Natural History, Pretoria.
• The South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
• The National Museum and the Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein.

The cuisine found in South Africa varies from the popular to the traditional. Most of South African traditional foods were at one time based on a wide variety of grains, wild game, fruits and vegetables, but when the country became more and more industrialised, the general dishes of South Africa fused together popular eats, and cultural cooking. Some of the popular traditional foods that tourists will most likely encounter while in South Africa are breads and porridges made from “mealie-meal” which is a type of maize, or corn flour, Ostrich meat, ground, or made into various steaks and stews, much like beef. There’s also Amasi, which is sour milk, chutney, a sweet sauce made from fruits and vegetables and served over meat, and Bunny Chow; which is hollowed out bread, stuffed with curry.

Transportation in South Africa has undergone some very sophisticated development; most visitors will be surprised at the ease in which they can travel freely. There are car rental agencies, where those so inclined can even rent off-road vehicles for trips through the bush. There are also regional and extended trips that many can take by bus, taxis, and a good number of airports for regional and international travel. Visitors can also take advantage of modern railway services as well. One of the most popular resorts in South Africa is Singita; finding anything to top their establishment is going to be a struggle. There are many different lodgings; such as five star resorts, rustic safari or game lodges, camping grounds, local hotels, and bed and breakfast establishments.

The Seychelles are located very near the equator, in the Indian Ocean off of the coast of Africa and is actually made up of 115 islands, both coral and granite. Forty-one of the islands are large enough to be called the Inner Islands, composed entirely of granite, as well as being the oldest oceanic granite islands in the world. The seventy-four Outer Islands are actually composed entirely of coral atolls, that have formed islets. One of the most famous natural and geographical attributes is also the world’s largest raised coral atoll, called Aldabra, and was first discovered thousands of years ago, by Arabian sailors. There are three main islands, Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, where the culture and economy of Seychelles are centred. The other islands in which can be found accommodation are Bird Island, Cerf, Chauve, Souris, Cousine, Denis Island, Frégate, North Island, Round Island (Praslin), Silhouette, Ste. Anne.

The islands in Seychelles are a great opportunity to share various activities with your family, relax, or go out and discover the islands on your own.

• Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, lounging on the famously gorgeous, and uncrowded beaches of Seychelles.
• Hop from one island to another by boat, with guided tours, or rent a boat, and take yourself and your family on an adventure.
• Go bicycling, horseback riding, walking, or hiking on some of the natural trails found throughtout the lush forest in Seychelles.
• Take a tour through the famous Vallee de Mai, where you’ll discover the rare, and legendary Coco-de-Mer, which can only be found in Seychelles, extinct in all other parts of the world.
• Lounge in the laid back atmosphere of Seychelles casinos, bars, and nightclubs. Enjoy the local company, music, and cuisine.
• Tour the cities in Seychelles, and discover authentic Creole homes, and lifestyles, street-side markets, the studios of local artists, and much more.

The majority of cuisines you’ll find when in Seychelles is Creole, or International; International basically means a little bit of this and that for the tourists. Creole cuisine has been made famous in the United States by where it is usually served in New Orleans, Louisiana. Creole cuisine is a fusion of different ethnicity, such as French, Spanish, French Caribbean, African, as well as some Italian influences. Many people are confused between Cajun and Creole, and usually conclude that they’re the same; this is inaccurate. Cajun is more an American development, whereas Creole leans more towards its European origins. Popular Creole dishes that you’ll find in Seychelles are Crabmeat Ravigote, Gumbo, Chicken Creole, Maque choux, Bread pudding, Grillades and Grits, as well as some exceptional Creole drinks, such as Hurricanes, and Sazerac cocktails.

Getting around in Seychelles in generally hassle-free, there are domestic flights for getting back and forth between the major islands, and ferries as well, which will take you to other islands as well. Visitors can also take advantage of buses, and taxis in Seychelles; public transportation is modern and clean. There is also the option of renting a vehicle; Seychelles isn’t especially over-populated and driving from place to place doesn’t involve a lot of waiting in traffic. Accommodation options in Seychelles are numerous depending on tastes; visitors can patronize five star luxury hotels and spa resorts, cozy beach-side cottages and bungalows, or stay in more rustic campgrounds or lodges.