The history of South Africa goes way, way back, pretty much all the way to the birth of humans as we know ourselves today. Some of the oldest remnants of our common ancestors can be found in South Africa, dating back as many as 110,000 years. If ancient man interests you, museums in the cities of Pretoria, Kimberley and Pietermaritzburg will definitely fulfill your curiosity. Much younger rock paintings (still up to 10,000 years old themselves) can be found throughout the country, especially in the Western Cape and the lands of KwaZulu-Natal.

Skipping ahead about a hundred millennia, Portuguese explorers traveled to South Africa in the 15th century, but did not stay. The first settlement was made by the Dutch in 1652, who established themselves on the Cape of Good Hope to sell supplies to passing ships headed for Europe or Asia. Initially the Dutch tried to maintain a good relationship with the Khoina living in the area, but severe language and cultural barriers soon created confusion that escalated into conflict. 

The Dutch settlement grew over the next century as a trading port for the Dutch East India Company, eventually clashing with the Xhosa over the territory to the east of the Cape. Around the turn of the 19th century the British tried to move in, but the Dutch retained control of the colony and the British established their own settlement outside the main sphere of Dutch control. The Great Trek followed, as many of the Dutch (Boers) living in the area moved north and east of the Cape to get as far away as possible from the British colonial government. They established independent states in their new territories.

The discovery of gold and diamonds soon followed. The Boer Wars of 1899-1902 began over Britain’s realization that it would be much more profitable to combine all the fledgling colonies under one rule (theirs). South Africa was finally united as a self-governing British colony in 1910. Left largely to its own devices, in 1912 the black population formed the South African Native National Congress (ANC). Afrikaners (descendents of Dutch natives of South Africa) in the early the 20th century renewed their hopes of gaining independence and political power. They formed the National Party in 1948, but used their newly gained political clout to implement the harsh apartheid laws denying rights to the black population that plagued South Africa for the rest of the 20th century.

The international political exile that resulted from South African politics forced the country to be self-sufficient, but luckily its fertile lands kept the nation afloat without help from outsiders. Continued unrest and revolt persisted throughout the following decades, but 1990 saw the beginnings of democracy as president Frederik Willem de Klerk allowed the ANC and other parties to re-form, and released Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison. Mandela was elected president in 1994, and elections since then have proven that South Africa is committed to democracy and to rejoining the international scene as it moves into the 21st century.

 The nature of the settlement of South Africa did little to create any definable national identity. Though the many diverse cultures of the country have mixed somewhat in modern times, for the most part traditions remain separated in this nation whose population Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu referred to as the “rainbow people of God”—many beautiful colors standing side by side. 

The recent declaration of Afrikaans (a mixture of Dutch and other languages of people who settled the Cape), English and nine Bantu languages as the country’s official languages provides legal proof of South Africa’s diversity that existed even before the arrival of the Dutch.

The Khoina were residents of the Cape when the Dutch landed in the 17th century. Some chose to join the settlers, while some moved inland. Farther north and east lived the Bantu-speaking people. Unrelated to the Khoina, they consist of Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele tribes, each with its own unique culture. French and German settlers round out the European population begun by the Dutch and English. 

The arrival of people from throughout Southeast Asia added the final colors to the rainbow. Though today experiencing international immigration just like any other modern nation, South Africa retains the distinct markings made by these initial cultural invasions.

 Located on Africa's southern tip, South Africa shares its northern border, from west to east, with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The capital is divided, with administrative tasks located centrally in the city of Pretoria, legislation in Cape Town and judicial matters in Bloemfontein. South Africa includes in its borders the autonomous kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland and covers a range of climates.

The coastal climate of South Africa is determined by the currents flowing along its eastern and western shores. On the east coast, the tropical Agulhas current makes the weather hot and humid, and attracts dolphins to the warm water it brings. The Benguela current in the west is cold, creating a dry environment as the low temperatures prevent clouds from forming. The cold waters, rarely rising above 57° F (14° C) even in summer, are a favorite breeding ground for blue whales. 

Moving inland, the landscape shifts from the forested coastline, to fertile valleys draped in grape vines, to the arid north. The best time to go on safari is the dry winter season from May to September. Although visiting Africa during the hot, dry season doesn’t sound very pleasurable in theory, the lack of water means that more animals are congregating around waterholes, giving visitors a much better chance of seeing them. With some luck you can see all of the Big Five in the country’s many national parks—water buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino.

South Africa's conservationist tradition began in the late 19th century after colonists had decimated wildlife populations. The first national park, a piece of land between KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland called the Pongola Game Reserve, was created by the Natal Volksraad, established in 1889. Many more parks followed in a variety of different ecosystems, and it is not only the animals that benefit. Visitors to the country will not be disappointed by the stunning landscapes and chance to see the Africa of their imagination spread out before them. Besides the Big Five, you can spot everything from spotted hyena to zebras, impala and warthogs, and monkeys.

Despite the improved chances for animal sightings in winter, summer season from December to February is the most popular time for people to travel to South Africa. The weather is cool but still sunny and there are always going to be animals, it just might take a bit more searching to find them.

 Each tribal group in South Africa has its own artistic traditions and areas of talent. The Xhosa, who live along the Eastern Cape, are best known for their delicate beadwork. The Zulu produce earthenware and woven objects and also work with iron and wood. The Ndebele people from the Limpopo province and Gauteng also do fine beadwork and are known for having the most decorative houses, as simple structures are turned into works of art by brightly colored murals traditionally painted by women. The Europeans also made their mark with their architecture, as stately colonial buildings from the Baroque, Victorian and Georgian periods grace cities like Cape Town and hold the key to the nation’s recent history.

Song and dance are very important in the modern art of South Africa, as they have been for many years. They are vibrant and uplifting, an escape from the sometimes harsh realities of everyday life. The popularity of choral and gospel music reveals the strong link between spirituality and music in South Africa, and in modern times this is fused with a new understanding and appreciation of African identity. Mbube, an a capella form of choral singing that originated with the Zulu, is very popular across the country, as are jazz, reggae and other forms of western music.

Events like the International Eisteddfod of South Africa (every September and October in Roodepoort) and Arts Alive (late August to early September in Johannesburg) will give visitors a broad sampling of the best in song and dance, from around the country to beyond its borders. 

Cattle are very important to the Zulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele, and are raised throughout the plains of South Africa. The braai (barbecue) is a popular outdoor meal enjoyed around the country. Meat is of course the centerpiece of these events but it is served in a variety of ways, from steaks to sausage, and recipes are well-kept secrets. 

Chicken, sweet potatoes and homemade cheeses are traditional foods, and biltong (beef jerky) is a popular snack made from beef or venison. Flavors from across the continent can be found in the cities of South Africa, as can cuisine from around the world. The most common international flavors are Indian and Malay, thanks to the influence of workers brought over by Dutch colonists. 

Fresh fruit is delicious and available year round. The coasts offer fresh seafood, and all of the culinary delights of South Africa can be enjoyed with the many varieties of local wines from the country’s fertile valleys.

 * When you pack, remember that it can get cold in mountain areas during the winter.

* Dress is casual almost everywhere, but going topless on the beach is prohibited by law.

* Drinking alcohol is prohibited on beaches and in the street. 

* Smoking in public places is usually prohibited as well.

* The tap water is fine to drink, but avoid drinking out of rivers. People traveling to South Africa usually have little in the way of stomach troubles.

  DK Travel Guides: South Africa.

* A History of South Africa, 3rd Edition by Leonard Thompson, published 2001 by Yale University Press.

* Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, published in 1995 by Back Bay Books.

* Adventuring in Southern Africa: The Great Safaris and Wildlife Parks of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho and Swaziland, written by Allen Bechky and published by Sienna Club Books in 1997.

* The Calling of Katie Makanya: A Memoir of South Africa by Margaret McCord, published by Wiley in 1998.

* South Africa’s Winelands of the Cape by Gerald Hoberman and Marguerite Lombard (2004).