Insight Guide South Africa (Insight Guides) (Paperback)

by Melissa De Villers (Author) "The news from South Africa, wrote one observer after a visit, "It's absorbingly interesting at the moment..." (more)
Key Phrases: facilities for disabled guests, nonsmoking bedrooms, transfrontier park, Eastern Cape, Free State, Port Elizabeth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This guide includes a section detailing South Africa's history, eight features covering aspects of the country's life and culture, ranging from the post-Apartheid government to spectacular wildlife, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive travel tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus hundreds of photographs and 17 maps.

About the Author
Since 2000. Hammond, American Map, Langenscheidt Dictionaries, Insight Travel Guides, Delorme – the famous names in the Langenscheidt family. These represent the most authoritative, up-to-date, and extensive travel and reference products available. In January 2003, the renowned Berlitz Publishing became part of the Langenscheidt Group. The Langenscheidt Publishing Group, the premier group of map and travel companies, offers over 4,000 North American and international street maps, road maps, atlases, language-learning, bilingual dictionaries, and travel-related products covering countries, cities, and languages in every continent. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Insight Guides; 3 Upd Sub edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812349235
• ISBN-13: 978-9812349231
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,296,240 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book about a Beautiful Country, August 8, 2000

By	Cliff S. (Indiapolis, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insight Guide South Africa (Paperback)

I had the opportunity to visit SA for a month in 1999. I knew going that I would have an informed friend to host and guide me, so I did not bring any guide books with me. However, when I returned home and had 34 rolls of film to show, I wanted a book to accompany the photos and act like its own souvenier. After looking at many titles, I settled on the Insight Guide because of its excellent balance of basic information (incl. a well-written chapter on the history), color photos (on the order of National Geographic), maps, tourist information (what to do; where to go; how to prepare; etc.), and candor about apartheid. I never regretted paying a few extra dollars more for the book because it stood head and shoulder above the competition. It's the book I would have made had I the opportunity. The mulitple authors are well-informed, and though some info might be outdated, one has to remember-- this is AFRICA!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, balanced, and informative, June 12, 2001

By	"alswharton" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insight Guide South Africa (Paperback)

I recently purchased this book for my mother who is going to South Africa for a vacation. The book was so helpful for me two years ago, that I wanted to make sure she had it. (My copy is marked up and the seams are a bit worn!) I like the books's balanced report on the history of South Africa, and the fact that it is neither for rich travelers with no budget, nor is it for poor students. The sections on things to buy and places to go are great, with enough examples to give you choices, but not simply a laundry list of restaurants and stores. It also has good information on things like local languages and cultures.

Great book and I'd recommend it to anyone.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Find another guide, August 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Insight Guide South Africa (Paperback)

I used this book before my trip to learn about the history, but I never used it once in South Africa. I found everyone else's Lonely Planet Guide much more helpful.