The Lesser Known Wonders of South Africa

Tourists to South Africa are generally dished upOnce all the evidence of the bones has satisfied
the usual itineraries where only the mainstreamyour archaeological bent, make for the popular
destinations of Cape Town, the Garden Route'Blue Pools', the source of which flows from the
and the Kruger National Park are included.very same limestone formations that kept the
However, for those select few who are preparedTaung skull hidden for millennia.
to make the effort, there are several fascinatingPrieska in the Northern Cape
destinations that offer visitors a glimpse into aThe town of Prieska is ideally situated on the
nation that is both diverse and incomparablybanks of the mighty Orange River, a river that
beautiful.forms the natural boundary with neighbouring
We have selected a couple of niche destinationsNamibia.
you'd least expect to be interesting to the largeIt can only really be accessed by car, so make
number of tourists who flock to the country infor the nearest car rental company and hire a
growing numbers each year.bakkie or 4x4, as the road from Cape Town is
The vast majority of these 'specialist' villages andlong and rugged.
towns are well off the usual beaten track, soLong the preferred production centre of tiger's
visitors inclined toward the unusual will have to opteye and other gemstones, it is still possible for the
for car rental.patient and eagle eyed amongst us to snaffle up
Taung in the North West Provincea handful of these semi-precious gems in
Taung, the place of the lion, is the origin of one ofPrieska.....free, gratis, for nothing!
the most remarkable archaeological discoveriesOnce your treasure has been carefully stashed,
made to date; that of a lime-encrusted skull oftake a good look at the area between Prieska
early man. The priceless remains of a child is yetand Vioolsdrif - it is the Rock Garden Route
further proof that Africa was, and still is, the literalwhere rare succulents grow unhindered in the
cradle of man. Today the area is a heritage site.desert dust.