"Our 7 weeks in South Africa have come to an end. We covered approximately 7,500 km by car and crossed three state borders: Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Lesotho.
We met friends and relatives of Manie and had a unique experience with South Africans in their homes and with their traditions. Thank you!
Compared to 2022, when I visited South Africa for the first time, I noticed an improvement in road conditions and the shantytowns around major cities. People are very friendly, and overall, it felt safer. While there are still shacks, we saw a significant number of people cleaning the streets and shantytowns! The huge piles of garbage are no longer around, and the shacks, though humble, are clean. We didn’t venture inside for a closer look, but I travel with a super cautious companion, so I’m not the best judge.
The significant issue in South Africa is that while people of color or “colored” (which is different—colored individuals are mixed-race) walk a lot to balance the situation, white people hardly walk at all. Being white and in the company of white South Africans, I didn’t walk for 7 weeks, which means carrying an extra 7 kg around 😉
It might sound exaggerated, but it’s not. White people don’t feel comfortable walking around. Perhaps it depends on the area; there are places where we saw whites walking and walking their dogs, but it’s not common, especially in cities. They’re so accustomed to not walking that they don’t even consider it.
Crime rates are still high in the country, but I want to emphasize that I’ve seen improvements! Go, South Africa!
South Africa is spectacular—it has everything, from mountains to the sea, from deserts to animals we Europeans usually see only in zoos. It’s vast, colorful, and unique.
In those 7 weeks, I experienced various winter climates—from the dry Johannesburg area to the humidity of the coast, from hot in the north to cold in the south. There’s something for everyone.
The landscapes are breathtaking, and the sunsets are incredible!"
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