It was my first time in this beautiful country, and I explored its major cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
BMPian SJM1214 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
South Africa is a vibrant and diverse country located at the southern tip of the African continent. Known as the “Rainbow Nation,” it represents a rich blend of cultures, languages, and traditions. This name reflects the unity of its people following the end of apartheid, where all races came together to build a democratic nation, just like the many colors of a rainbow. “Rainbow Nation”, a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and embraced by Nelson Mandela. The country’s culture is equally colorful, with influences from African, European, and Asian communities, seen in its food, music, dance, and festivals. With warm, welcoming people and endless adventure, South Africa is truly a land of contrast, hope, and unity.
The country is home to 11 official languages, a wide mix of traditions, and vibrant communities. This diversity is reflected in its food, music, dance, festivals, and daily life.
Some of South Africa’s major cities include:
Johannesburg:
Johannesburg, often called Joburg or Jozi, is the largest city in South Africa and the country’s economic hub. Known for its gold mining history, it is a modern, fast-paced city with vibrant culture, bustling markets, and rich heritage sites like Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum.
Cape Town:
Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most beautiful and popular cities, known for the iconic Table Mountain, scenic beaches, and rich history. It’s a cultural hub with a mix of African, European, and Malay influences, and is also home to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Durban:
Durban is a coastal city in South Africa known for its warm beaches, tropical climate, and strong Indian influence. It’s famous for its spicy cuisine, especially bunny chow, and the vibrant Golden Mile beachfront. Durban also has a rich Zulu heritage and a laid-back, friendly vibe.
My work recently gave me the opportunity to visit South Africa and explore its major cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban – all in a single trip. Although it was purely a business visit, packed with conferences, trade fairs, and client meetings, I made the most of it. It was my first time in this beautiful country, and as an avid traveler and hardcore motorhead, I couldn’t miss the chance to explore. Despite the hectic schedule, I managed my time well and experienced the unique charm, culture, and energy of each city.
From the bustling streets of Johannesburg to the scenic beauty of Cape Town and the coastal vibe of Durban, South Africa truly left a lasting impression on me.
This is the story of my first visit to South Africa.
I was accompanied by one of my colleagues who had been to South Africa (going forward, we’ll refer to it as SA) many times before. That made things much easier for me, as I didn’t have to worry much about what to do, where to go, or how to manage local logistics.
Our visas were arranged by a travel agency, and since it was an official business trip, the entire process was smooth and hassle-free.
Our journey began from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). Since I have very limited experience of flying abroad, it was quite a new and exciting experience for me. We boarded our flight from Ahmedabad and landed in Dubai.
Svpia
We had a 3-hour stop there, which gave us some time to stretch our legs, grab a bite, and take in the lively atmosphere of Dubai Airport. Thanks to my colleague’s frequent flyer status with Emirates, I was able to enjoy complimentary access to the Emirates Lounge during our layover in Dubai.
This was my first time in Dubai, and I was especially excited to experience the famous and much-talked-about Dubai Duty Free. I took my time to explore the entire market, checking out the wide variety of shops, luxury items, and souvenirs. In my humble opinion — or rather, in my “Indian” opinion — I didn’t find Dubai Duty Free to be cheap. In fact, I found most things quite expensive. Perhaps travelers from Western countries find it more affordable due to favorable exchange rates, but for me, it didn’t really feel like a place for great deals. It was more about the experience and the variety of products on display than actual savings.
After soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, I made my way to the relaxing and comfortable Emirates Lounge, which was a perfect spot to unwind before our next flight.
Layover
Dubai Duty Free
Passing time during a layover has never been an issue for me. I genuinely enjoy watching planes take off and land, just like an excited kid. Something is fascinating and almost magical about it that always captures my attention. Soon, our three-hour layover came to an end, and we walked toward our boarding gate. Once again, thanks to my colleague’s frequent flyer status, we were allowed priority entry into the aircraft, making the boarding process smooth and quick.
Boarding the aircraft.
Once all the passengers were on board, the flight took off smoothly.
As we ascended, I tried to capture some photos of Dubai’s glowing skyline — a stunning view of the city’s lights and iconic buildings from above. The view of Dubai’s skyline from the flight was breathtaking. The towering Burj Khalifa stood out like a needle piercing the sky. As the plane climbed higher, seeing the city from above looked amazing.
Dubai
Once we were in the air, it was the usual routine of eating, watching movies, and trying to catch some sleep. The flight was smooth and eventless, without any hiccups or turbulence. Time passed quietly, and before we knew it, the pilot announced that we would soon be starting our descent. That announcement woke us up, bringing with it a mix of excitement and curiosity as we approached South Africa.
As the plane started to land, we could see Johannesburg city from the window. It looked beautiful at night. The whole city was full of lights, and they stretched to the horizon.
The roads and buildings looked like a glowing map, and the tall buildings stood out in the dark. It was clear that Johannesburg is a big and lively city. Watching it from above was a special moment.
Johannesburg city
We landed smoothly and quickly headed to immigration. The process was fast and easy, and in no time, we were out of the airport.
Rush for Exist.
We collected our bags and stepped outside the airport. South Africa — the Rainbow Nation — welcomed us with open arms.
Welcome to
We landed late, around 9:30 PM. We needed to hire a ride to reach our hotel, and my colleague advised me to book an UberX. It was expensive. And yes, when you’re moving around Joburg at night, you do need a safe and fast car. We placed the order, and within a few minutes, a brand new BMW 3 Series arrived. Without wasting time, we got in and started our journey to the hotel.
Our hotel
Our stay was booked at a Holiday Inn Express.
When we reached the hotel, I noticed it was located inside a business park, surrounded by big multinational companies like Oracle, Google, and Hertz. The entire business park was surrounded by high walls with barbed wire — and yes, it was electrified. At the entrance, there were more than eight security guards who thoroughly checked our Uber driver and the car before letting us in.
Later that night, my colleagues and even the bartender told us that most people here live in gated communities. They don’t feel safe outside of these secured areas, which are always surrounded by high walls and electric fences.
Finally, we ended the day. We were tired, but equally excited — a long and busy day full of meetings was waiting for us the next morning.
Continue reading SJM1214’s travel experience for BHPian comments, insights and more information.
