Sun City
Sun City is the Las Vegas of South Africa.
A mirage rising from nothing in the middle of the savannah, a colossal building, dominated by the Palace of the Lost City, the reconstruction of an elusive lost palace that rises with its pinnacles and domes ocher color, style Walt Disney, now one of most luxurious hotel complexes in the world.
But the creation is not confined to the hotel, but also all the surrounding landscape, from the jungle, lakes, waterfalls that descend from the mountain.
And in the middle of the complex, including slot-machine, grand and luxurious environments, performances and magnificent scenery, was built one of the most incredible water parks (Valley of wave), reached by crossing the Bridge of Time, surrounded by giant lions and elephants in stone under a volcano, a huge swimming pool to cool from high temperatures with artificial silica sand, palm trees, clear water: it seems to really be at sea or ..... maybe we are really. Every 2 minutes part gigantic wave two meters high, which creates a truly unique effect. The water starts construction similar to the temples scattered in the mountains, like the Temple of Courage, a slide quasi perpendicular along about 100 meters. Adrenaline.
Paths between bridges and paths can go in the jungle artificial, between lakes and waterfalls and breathtaking views of the entire complex.
In short, a place completely fake: o you love or hate it .... but I'm going crazy about these places ...
One important thing in any case we must say it's one of the few places in South Africa where whites and blacks are having fun "together" because never in three weeks I have seen so many blacks on vacation in a place frequented mostly by whites as here in
Sun City . Perhaps one of the first steps toward understanding race in this country in the past appalled by so much violence and exclusion.
Pilanesberg
But a few miles away as the crow flies from Africa less true of the whole continent, here is the "real Africa", one that everyone dreams of being able to see before you leave.
The mountains separating fact this environment everything from fiction Pilansberg NP, one of the finest wildlife reserves in the world.
In a natural environment in the center of a crater of an extinct volcano, made up of savannah, mountains and beautiful green landscapes, and especially in an area where malaria is not a problem (rare for African parks) the
Pilanesberg is the valid alternative to the famous Kruger to admire very closely and with a little luck, the famous Big Five (lion, buffalo, cheetah, elephant, rhinoceros).
Over 150 km of gravel roads to be traveled by car or by participating on a jeep safari guided by rangers, continuous research of animals that we are accustomed to seeing in the confined space of our zoo. But here are vast spaces, visitors here we are, we are asking to enter for a few days in contact with the real owners of these lands.
The sightings are not easy, the roads might not run even one third of the park, sometimes also in the car half an hour without sighting anything (not even another car). Initially, you may remain disappointed.
But the meetings, slowly increase and become breathtaking, and before a pack of zebras from a distance, then close until you cross the street. Shortly after three rhinos passing slowly through the bush, or a dozen giraffes seem that observed in the eye of their height. And then a huge old elephant and intention to your meal, or herds of buffalo that goes to the lazy Drinks menu, surrounded by numerous gazelles, impala, kudu and grazed.
In the vicinity of pools of water were created terraces reached on foot via footpaths safe: leave your car, you open the eraser (remember also to close it to not run the risk of being Sbrana ...) and travel routes cages that seem to reach a wooden terrace on the water, where you can see hippos and crocodiles.
More difficult to discern the lions: their activity takes place during the cool hours of the day, so I obliged the levatacce at 5 am.
Rather difficult to find the last big five: the cheetah.
Magical nights are also within the reserve, starting with the cheapest but semi-luxury resort like Manyane (double with half board € 60 per person), until you get to the most luxurious lodge, with service comparable to the reserves of the private Kruger, as the Tshukudu or Kwa Maritan.
The Manyane is a good solution for those who decide to visit the park independently with their own vehicle or participating in organized safari jeep with the (highly recommended, € 20). These beautiful cottages scattered in the bush, well-maintained and excellent restaurant where half board can order a free choice from infinity and distinctive menu a la carte. Dish not to miss: trio of skewers of crocodile, ostrich and kudu.
The latter are characterized by very luxurious rooms and a very special service: accept up to twenty clients, and the price (from € 160 to 230 per person) includes full board (including the boom in dinner around the fire) Two safari "custom" and walk in the bush accompanied by armed rangers.
Finally, if you are not able to have a close encounter with a lion, returning to Johannesburg, you can pause a few hours at Lyon Park, a private reserve size. Even here you access with your car, and meetings with the king of the forest are very likely.
Maybe not authentic, but I can assure you that seeing a lion and a lioness with inferociti eyes pointing towards the car, is a truly "unforgettable."
There is another malaria free park worth a visit in South Africa: the case dell'Adda NP, located about 70 km north of Port Elizabeth.
We came here almost by chance, and the place was noted, however fabulous.
E 'a reserve which was created in 1931 to defend the few examples of elephants that had remained. From that day, the pachyderms have multiplied to reach now more than 400 specimens, as well as buffalo, kudu, antelope, rhinoceros, warthog, etc..
Unlike the
Pilanesberg and Kruger, in this park encounters with animals are continuous although limited variety, given the small size of the reserve (one speaks, however, over 70 km of gravel roads left ...) in an environment wild and very evocative.
As may happen to us (and I think it is not a rarity) to be surrounded by more than 20 elephants in the middle of the road, meeting a charming and a little adrenaline, not knowing the reactions of these huge animals here are not sure domesticated.
Unforgettable moments.