South Africa is considered an industrialized nation with a diverse combination of inhabitants speaking 11 official languages, that along with India and China, is in consideration for inclusion into the G-8 group of leading industrialized countries. Soccer is the most watched sport in the country, and along with other popular sports such as cricket and rugby, showcases the country’s robust sports tradition. Featuring 16 high profile teams, the Premier Soccer League takes part in the Champion’s League tournament of African clubs. Star South Africans in soccer include Quinton Fortune, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena, all currently players for Manchester United.

Apartheid certainly shackeled the South African national team with many restrictions and that has only recently started to come back into it is own, qualifying for the 1998 and 2002 FIFA Cups. In 1996, “Bafana Bafana” accomplished their best yet success by winning the African Cup of Nations. For the 2010 World Cup South Africa will automatically qualify as the host nation. Nevertheless, South Africa’s fans are equally passionate as those from other continents.

Being the first time such an event will be hosted on the African continent, some of the distinctive challenges faced by South Africa and the African continent will come to light. The nation still struggles with serious economic, social and health problems, but large improvements has been made since democratization in 1994. Point in fact, the FIFA inspectors rated South Africa as being able to organize an “excellent” World Cup based on the assessment of hospitality, medical, transport and security infrastructure, and the 2010 World Cup promises to showcase the strengths of this one-of-a-kind country.

To answer these questions, first ask yourself what the most important aspects of your trip will be. Do you plan to go on Safari? May to end of August is a good choice and there are a number of reasons for this. Being in the Southern hemisphere, South Africa in this time frame is in the middle of their winter. What does that mean for you? Clear skies and lots of sunshine throughout much of the country (with the exception of the Western Cape), sparse foliage making it easier to spot game and less water available for animals to drink, ensuring that there is nearly always something interesting to see near watering holes and rivers, whereas at other times of the year many animals may virtually disappear into the bush. For a winter visit, the Natal coast might be warm enough for some to enjoy the beach and also, if you go at the right moment in June/July, you might have the privilege to experience the sardine run, bringing together thousands of dolphins, seals and any other imaginable sea life without ever having to touch the water.

Do South Africa vacations make you think of heading for the beautiful beaches or if jumping into that picture perfect pool of your hotel or Safari lodge appeals to you, don’t imagine that it would be too much fun in July (ask someone who knows), rather try to plan your vacations for between December and February. Benefits of going in the South African summer time also includes the possibility to enjoy all the best that the Western Cape has to offer – wine tours, a scenic tour to the top of Table Mountain or a stroll along the V&A waterfront to mention but a few – and it’s worth noting that there are also many worthwhile parks in this region where you could enjoy top-notch Safaris, with most of the benefits of going to one of the larger parks in the north during winter time.

Summer in the Northern provinces, if you have the need to travel between September and April, doesn’t go without its perks. Look for spectacular vistas of purple Jacaranda blooms in Pretoria and world-famous floral displays in the desertic Namaqualand in spring and the chance to see the Bushveld in lush green glory and experience a real African storm during peak summer. Keep in mind, however, that November to middle January is summer vacations, student and scholar peak season, so expect roads and towns (especially up the East coast), to be much busier and noisier than normal, and for national travel to be more expensive. Then, at last, enjoy excellent opportunities to go shopping year round. Curios bought from locals can be a real steal and will make great gifts and memoirs for your South Africa vacations.