Heritage Sites in South Africa
Rich in culture, wildlife and natural heritage, South Africa has many places of interest worth visiting. Of special interest are the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are to be found in this great country. These are the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Robben Island, uKhahlamba- Drakensberg Park, the Cradle of Humankind and the Vredefort Dome. These World Heritage sites have all met the cultural or natural standards for World Heritage sites and many of them contribute significantly to either the environment or to the history of mankind.
The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park
The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park of South Africa is the third largest park in the country. The park is quite vast (roughly 328 000 ha) and includes the entire Lake St Lucia. One of the parks greatest assets is the wide range of habitats to be found here such as coastal forest, fresh water marshes, woodland areas, beaches and coral reefs. The St Lucia Wetlands Park is home to the largest hippo population in the country as well as around 1000 crocodiles and thousands of other animals and plants. It is not difficult to understand why the park is growing in popularity with tourists and local visitors. In response to this growth, it has developed a broad range of activities for tourists to enjoy such as fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching, horse riding and scuba-diving. It is one of the best photographic and wildlife viewing opportunities available in the southern half of the country.
Robben Island
Few people have not heard of Robben Island - the prison island 12 kilometers off the coast of Cape Town where political prisoner Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his active stand against the apartheid regime. The island was used in this capacity for nearly 400 years and was known for the brutality and morale crushing treatment that was metered out at the hands of stern and cruel prison warders. Many freedom fighters spent more than 50 years behind the walls of this prison in persecution for their beliefs. Originally a symbol of suppression and control, the prison has in more recent times been closed down and converted into a sort of tourist attraction, turning it into a symbol of freedom and human triumph. A trip to the island can be somewhat eerie but the enormous role the island played in the country's history is one well worth discovering.
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
A place of immense natural beauty, rich wildlife and cultural heritage, it is easy to see why the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park has been marked as a World Heritage site. The park is not only about recreational activities such as hiking, walking, swimming, birding, horse riding, fishing, cycling and canoeing. Here you will find incredible cliffs, valleys and crystal clear rivers. The many rivers, forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to a wide range of plant and animals species, several of which are endangered. The Crane and Blue Swallow which reside here are critically endangered. Fortunately the small populations in this area are viable and growing slowly. Also of interest are the some 600 rock art sights dotting the mountains which are make up the richest rock painting area in the world. These artworks are protected and are best viewed with the expert help of a guide.
The Cradle of Humankind
In the Sterkfontein Valley in the Western Gauteng and North West province lies an area of immense anthropological importance. Called 'The Cradle of Humankind', hominid ruins have been excavated here which date back as far as 2 or 3.3 million years ago. Thousands of fossils have already been excavated and there is an estimated 25 more sites that still haven't been started on. Plant and animal fossils as well as tools and cultural remains have all been dug up and documented from this area. Perhaps the most famous excavation is that of the adult female Australopithecus africanus (called the Plesianthropus transvaalensis) which has been nicknamed 'Mrs Ples'. Her skull is said to date back to roughly 2.8-2.6 million years ago. A small museum displays many of the significant findings from the area and a small section of the caves are open to the public for tours.
The Vredefort Dome
Just 120 km south-west of Johannesburg, you will find the Vredefort Dome. The Dome is generally considered to be the world's largest and oldest meteorite crater and therefore holds significant scenic and scientific interest. The radius of the crater is 190km and the crater itself is estimated to have been formed some 2 billion years ago. It is theorized that meteorite impacts such as the one which likely caused the dome caused global and evolutionary change and it is hoped that by further study of sights of this significance more will be understood about the forming of the planet and its gradual evolution.
Besides these five World Heritage Sites there are many natural and cultural heritage sites which make for interesting excursions. One example is Thulamela Hill in the Kruger National Park which has at least three interesting sights. Similar interesting places are dotted throughout the country, so if you are interested in seeing more of them, make sure that your travel agent knows this and will include some of these sights as part of your travel plans.
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