South Africa: the jewel of Africa

No other country has been more important in the changing tides of modern history than South Africa since apartheid ended in the early 1990s. Now it feels incredible that such a thing existed not so long ago, although it is true that it has not been easy since the formation of the new republic of South Africa, it is also fair to say that the country has shown maturity. and the will to keep going, which has exceeded expectations. Of course, much praise for this must go to Nelson Mandela, who even when he left office as president in 1999 has remained a decorative figure of positive and peaceful progress.

So now that the great man has retired from public service, what can we expect from visiting tourists and those thinking of investing in modern South Africa?

South Africa has always been known as “the jewel of Africa”. On a continent known for its lush wildlife and stunning scenery, this is not an easy title to maintain. However, it is the fact that South Africa offers so much that makes it so popular. The country has a world-class infrastructure with modern highways, trains, buses and internal flights that facilitate movement. South Africa is also known for having more than 3,500 kilometers of paradisiacal coastline, more than 20 national parks, and a variety of World Heritage sites. All of this, a wonderful climate and so many activities to keep the most difficult to please smiling all day, from diving to monuments and cultural trails, to golf, great food and wine, it’s easy to see why this country has become so popular.

There is so much to see in this great country, such as the west coast, with unspoiled beaches and an epic mountain range, this is a great destination to experience charming ancient fishing villages and the best sea food in South Africa. Nature is always abundant here, with the West Coast spring bursting with glorious flower carpets covering the ground, a favorite for hiking, as well as bird and whale watching.

The Elephant Coast stretches from Lake Saint Lucia, a recognized World Heritage site, to the south of the Bay of Kosi. This is a beautiful wilderness, a wilderness area that is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking extraordinary geology and ecosystems, along with a taste of adventure. There are two world-famous parks here, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (with more than 1500 white rhinos) and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. In this region you will find virgin wetlands populated with birds and the largest group of indigenous African elephants in the country.

For those looking for South Africa off the beaten track, there are many other incredible destinations worth naming. Namaqualand, is known to be one of the most beautiful places in the world when it transforms in spring, from an arid landscape to a sea of ​​vivid wild flowers.

The battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal will appeal to history buffs as it is home to the historic wars of the British, Boers, and Zulu. Known as the home of some of the bloodiest battles, such as the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, immortalized in the classic 1964 film Zulu. This is a beautiful land with a serene landscape.

Drakensberg (which means Dragon Mountain in Afrikaans) is the wild west of South Africa. An impressive mountain range, with peaks of more than 3,400 meters. The mountain range forms a border between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the KwaZulu-Natal province. Drakensberg is known for its flora, fishing, climbing, horseback riding, rafting, hiking and the second highest waterfall in the world, the impressive Tugela Falls, a staggering 850 meters. This is a great place to spend your holidays as excellent vacation destinations, hotels and resorts can be found here.

For wine lovers, the vineyards of Cape Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl are the ideal place. Wine tours take place along these finest wine estates in South Africa, excursions that involve experiencing the inspiring views of the Cape Town surroundings with its mountains and valleys. Along with the wine production of these wine-producing lands, which has earned many accolades around the world, this is a popular vacation option for those looking for some of the best wines the country has to offer.

The Cape Peninsula is known for its world-class beaches and the surrounding mountains. This part of the country is one of its most popular vacation destinations, with tourists from all over the world coming here giving it a very cosmopolitan feel. With the country’s capital Cape Town at the helm and the surrounding rich and diverse land, there is a host of things to take in just in this part of the country. Unsurprisingly, the city itself is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. A fun, joyful, sociable and sporty city, this is a place you should never miss when visiting this country that has more than its fair share of breathtaking locations.

The wonderful diversity that South Africa offers is what attracts more and more tourists every year throughout the year. How many other countries in the world can offer world-class infrastructure, unbridled wilderness, some of the best beaches in the world, fantastic cities, and great weather all rolled into one? As such, South Africa is also fast becoming a major destination for buyers looking to invest.

Two- and three-bedroom houses can be purchased from 100,000 euros onwards, depending on the location and type of construction. Detached villas can be found at a very competitive starting price, with three beds for just € 120,000. If you are thinking of buying property in South Africa, it is of course advisable to do some research on the property acquisition process in the country, however, foreign nationals have been investing in property in South Africa for many years and business is fine. settled down.

Some helpful shopping tips to keep in mind:

• There are no restrictions for foreigners to buy property in South Africa. Although there is a sophisticated land registration system that makes freehold and lease the least common concept.

• Real estate in South Africa is called “real estate”.

• There are transfer fees that must be paid. The current transfer rights are R25,000 for properties between R500,000 and R1,000,000 and R25,000 + an additional 8% of the value over R1m for properties over R1,000,000.

• If you buy outside of the plan, it is usual that streaming rates do not apply.

• Area is everything in South Africa. Making sure you buy in a good safe location is more important than the size and style of the property and should be first in the decision process.

• Although foreign nationals can buy real estate in South Africa, it does not automatically follow that foreign nationals can also buy the right to extract minerals from such real estate.

• The South African government recognizes the autonomy of some tribes in certain areas. Once you have found the correct region in which you would like to search for a property, it is advisable to make sure to check if the property is under this jurisdiction, and if so, make sure your legal representation is capable as you will be aware of many variants different premises. necessary to ensure a successful purchase.

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