Walking South Africa In The Footsteps Of Pioneers

By Tony Maniscalco

Walking South Africa amongst its extremely diverse terrain offers the enthusiast many chances to explore the stunning coastlines, the exquisite mountainous scenery and the rugged bush land where the wild animals roam their natural habitat. Today, we can choose from a plethora of experiences walking South Africa’s landscape and know that we will be welcomed by the locals and treated to a wonderful hospitality along the way. But the South Africa that we know and love was not quite so welcoming for those pioneers who paved the way. The came to this strange land not knowing what to expect and, in some cases, found a little more than they would ever have imagined…

Falling Skies

If you travel across the Vaal River you can visit what is known to be the largest meteor scar in the world. One can only imagine what ancient explorers made of this incredible sight walking South Africa’s unchartered land, but nowadays we know that nearly two million years ago a massive meteor plunged into the Earth here. With a radius of over 190km, Vredefort Dome has been credited with having a major devastating impact on some of our evolutionary changes.

Falling Water

Walking South Africa in the spectacular Drakensberg area, early pioneers would have been stunned to come across the Tugela Falls. Although they could not possibly have known it then, now we know that with a drop of 850 meters, Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the entire world. The falls has five separate drops and its location in the Kwa Zulu-Natal Province make it a much-visited and admired sight. It is an awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience to stand at the top of the thundering falls and then hike down and view them from the bottom as well.

Falling Rocks

For those intrepid visitors walking South Africa around Barberton in Mpumalanga, an impressive sight awaits. Rock formations here have been estimated at over 3 billion years old, making them some of the oldest in the world. Perhaps the early pioneers would not have realised their significance but now scientists consider them to be invaluable in determining how life could begin on other, distant planets.

Falling Over

The early settlers of South Africa’s lush wine growing region could not have known they had stumbled upon what is now one of the most important wine producing regions in the world. Not only that, the R62 wine route on South Africa’s Western Cape is unofficially the longest as well. Twisting through Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Langkloof and Port Elizabeth the route offers plenty of opportunity to stop, relax and enjoy the produce. Just be sure if you’re in the area walking South Africa’s wine routes that you factor in an afternoon siesta to freshen up!

Falling in Love

A pioneer of a very different kind carried out the world’s first successful heart transplant in South Africa in 1967. Doctor Christian Barnard carried out the ground-breaking surgery and although the patient died of complications shortly after, the groundwork had been laid for the ultimate success of future operations. Doctor Barnard became an overnight celebrity and, because of his film star good looks and his obvious enjoyment of female company, he became known as the ‘doctor of hearts’, for more reasons than one.

About the Author: Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Whilst

walking South Africa

with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

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