How to plan a trip around south africa and neighbouring countries? what are the must gos?

This is a very broad question you don't give an idea of what's your budget is and what are your interests. Swaziland - pretty boring small country but must sees are: Ngwenya mine - oldest evidence of human mining Milwane nature reserve - you can stay in a grass hut Other game reserves In August there is the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) If you are into fishing on the Mocambique border you can fish for Tiger fish at Big Bend South Africa If you are into wildlife there are a number of different game reserves: Kruger National Park is the biggest and best it is part of the Peace Park that extends across the borders of Mocambique. Near Johannesburg is the lion park, Karoo Mountain Zebra, Addo Elephant in KwaZulu Natal and if you are rich there is Pilansberg near Sun City The Pretoria Zoo is pretty fascinating - a night tour is great Human ancestry Sterkfontein - the cradle of humankind Night life Cape Town rocks Apartheid history There are guided tours of Soweto available and you can eat the staple foods like Mielie pap and mopani worms Wars The Zulu War and Anglo Boer war are considered the biggies Various battlefield tours are available Neighbouring countries Lesotho another small boring country Maseru has some nice pubs and hotels but very little else. Basutho ponies Drakensberg - highest mountains in Southern Africa The highest waterfall in africa Botswana Gaberones the capital has some nice pubs and hotels. The drivers are the worst in the world. Some mad town planner laid out the road system to cause the most number of accidents. 17% of the country is national parks The Central Kalahari National Park is bleak and beautiful. The Okavango delta is stunning The North of the country has the largest elephant herds in the world. Chobe is a great place to stay. There are luxury hotels and cheap camp sites. Zimbabwe - Avoid unless you are interested in seeing how a mad dictator can destroy a country. Inflation has topped 1000% and the population is being starved. Most of the wildlife has been eaten Namibia Must sees: The national parks including the Etosha pan are stunning Windhoek has a german ambience and there are some great nightclubs Angola - haven't been there so can't make suggestions Mocambique Maputo - good hotels and nightlife bad bad roads The beaches are wonderful there are a lot of diving and fishing resorts along the coast Watch out for land mines Zambia Lusaka - the torture chambers put in by Kaunda are worth a visit. It is the better country to see the Victoria falls from. If you want a unique experience go and stay at the Chimfunshe Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Chingola. Jane Goodall is the patron and there is a tame hippo called Billie Jean. Nearest airport is Ndola Planning your trip Get a map and plot your destinations. Check for visa requirements Get an international driver's license Search for guided tour companies on the web. Look at state department warnings. Southern Africa is violent (Bill Bryson (the travel writer) was in South Africa for three hours and was robbed at gunpoint in Johannesburg). Be sensible I have been to all these countries and the worst experience I had, was being strip searched at Uganda airport by security guards trying to extort a bribe. Look at getting traveller's cheques and mastercards. Don't travel with bling and don't bring anything you will die to protect. Have a reserve fund that can be Moneygramed or SWIFTed to you in need. Travel are you going to buy or hire a car? There are lots of rental places. A lot of tours will drive you to your destination Hitching seems to be easier outside South Africa Most accommodation places will collect you from the nearest airport. This is very brief so contact me if you have any questions

come to kenya - it has it all. get in touch if u need a guide.

The best way to start planning a trip is probably by going to a tour operator or to contact an independant guide. There are a few sites that could help you in your planning. If you are looking for cheap accommodation and travel the Baz Bus is your best option. Other sites include SA_Venues, Excape and the SA Environment website, it has all the tourism authorities contact details. Must see places in South Africa: * Gauteng Province (origins of gold) * East Coast (Durban and surrounds) * Drakensberg * Limpopo Province (loads of private game reserves) * Sun City (North West Province) * Kruger National Park * Bourke's Luck Potholes (Mpumalanga) * The Kalahari (Northern Cape) Must see neibouring places: * Namibia * Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe - travel through Botswana and cross over the border to the falls) * The coast of Mozambique