South Africa

DVD. Globe Trekker. South Africa is said to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It's ever-changing breathtaking scenery takes you from the awe inspiring Drakensberg Mountains to the grasslands of Kruger National Park - and, of course, fantastic beaches. The dark cloud of apartheid held back tourism but since its breakdown in 1994 travelers have returned to experience the magic of this remarkable land. Travelers Sami Sabiti and Justine Shapiro return to South Africa to see how much the rainbow nation has changed in the decade since apartheid. Starting in the beautiful Cape Town they travel to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. After a stop in Kimberly, Sami does on to the tribal lands of Limpopo while Justine heads east to Afrikaner Oudtshoorn and on to Durban before meeting the wildlife of Kruger National Park. They end their journey in Johannesburg. 60 minutes. Along the way... $_$_START_LIST ? Sample the wines of the Stellenbosch region. ? Experience the extreme Hindu festival of Kavadi in Durban. ? Paint with the Venda people, renowned as the country's most skillful artists. ? Descend into the diamond mines of Kimberly. ? Take a safari through the world famous Kruger National Park. $_$_END_LIST

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. South Africa is not only impressive due to its size but also due to its amazing variety of fascinating scenery. Its paradise-like flora and fauna plus its historic and famous landmarks are totally captivating. Johannesburg is a modern metropolis and with around a million and a half inhabitants is the capital of Gauteng Province and the largest city in South Africa. It was founded in 1886 when gold was first discovered at Witwater Beach. Although European influence is obvious in South Africa the first inhabitants of this fascinating country were of course the various indigenous people of Africa and the village of Lesedi around twenty five kilometres south of Johannesburg provides many insights into ancient Africa's traditions and dances. Lesedi contains four tiny villages that are inhabited by Zulus, Xhosas and members of the smaller Pedi and Basotho tribes. Close to Pilgrim's Rest is one of the most beautiful landscapes in South Africa, Blyde River Canyon, a spectacular twenty six kilometre long and eight hundred metre deep canyon where erosion caused by the confluence of the Treu and Blyde rivers has created a number of amazing rock formations. With its many craters Moon Valley is evocative of the lunar landscape. This unusual area was formed during a wet period around four hundred and sixty million years ago by the Swakop River that is one of the longest and widest rivers in Namibia. The region became famous due to a miraculous plant, the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a living fossil that was first discovered in the middle of the nineteenth century and can survive for up to six hundred years. The Etosha National Park in the north of Namibia is one of the largest nature reserves in the world. In the dry winter months hundreds of thousands of animals gather and make this park into Africa's most populated wildlife area. Man must continue to be fully aware of his responsibility to nature and nowhere more so than in Southern Africa that is one of the last natural paradises on Earth.

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Johannesburg is the commercial centre of South Africa. Since gold was first discovered there, everything has revolved around money, and from the 50th floor of Africa's tallest building, The Carlton Towers, there is an all-engulfing view of the city's narrow streets and jungle of concrete and glass. The African Museum is a contemporary building and one of South Africa's most exquisite landmarks, it contains a large variety of geological exhibits and detailed accounts of the city's past surface mining that gave rise to the country's massive gold rush.The resistance to apartheid is also illustrated, as well as the history of Africa's native inhabitants who journeyed from present day Botswana to the south of the country. In contrast to Johannesburg, Pretoria grew at a calmer pace and has developed from a Boer farming municipality into South Africa's administrative capital.Located on a hill is the Vortrekker Monument that is a reminder of the Boers' Great Trek and, in 1830, the crucial battle in which they defeated the Zulus. Sun City is a magnificent fantasy world full of African ambience and the Sun City Hotel is the casino that made Sol Kerzner the richest man in South Africa, whereas the futuristic Cascades Hotel derived its name from its wonderful setting of waterfalls, pools and lush plant life. The route travels northeast over the misty and one time heavily defended Drankens Mountains in the direction of the Kruger Park that extends along the border with Mosambique.From Kruger, the journey continues across Swaziland and Kwazulu Natal to Port Elizabeth on the Indian Ocean's south coast. Along the rocky coastline a road leads to the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape Of Good Hope.For those lucky enough to experience it, the drive on the spectacular mountain road around the Cape is an amazing adventure.One of the many natural wonders of this unique land that unites European influence with African pride.

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. The Republic of South Africa with its diversity and unmatched natural diversity is often called "Rainbow Country". Scrublands full of game, beaches inviting for a swim, sky-high mountains, picturesque lakes and cities of historic heritage make up the appeal of this country. The Southest point of Africa: the Cape of Good Hope tells us about famous seamen, Boer settlers and English colonists. Conservated territories, botanic gardens and Africa's most famous wine-producing territory make up the Cape Peninsula. In Pilanesberg reservation, you can meet wild animals in their natural habitat: lions, elephants, giraffes, and leopards. Sun City greets visitors with hotels, casinos, aquaparks, golf courses and a theme park. The Lesedi Cultural Village presents us the culture, art and traditions of Zulus and other tribes. From South Africa, we can take a trip to the thundering cascades of Victoria falls, where there is always a rainbow in the sky.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The historic city of Port Elisabeth is the beginning of a magnificent journey along the South African Garden Route. After traveling through vast agricultural areas and blossoming meadows the Tsitsikamma Lodge, that is located in the Tsitsikamma National Park, is a paradise of blossoming flowers and plants, a huge botanical garden of amazing sights and perfumes that tease the senses. A small steam train, the Quteniqua Choo Tjoe, travels from George to Knysna, a fine city and a popular bathing resort, well known for its tasty beer, fresh oysters and stylish hardwood furniture, and then it journeys on through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Covering 2,600 hectares, the coastal Wilderness National Park consists of pure, unadulterated Nature, where waves rush toward the shore and bleached debris lies on the shoreline. Mossel Bay has long sandy beaches that are ideal for sun bathing and swimming, a veritable oasis of tranquility far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It also boasts an old Milkwood Tree that has been used as a message centre since the year 1500 and since then has been known as the first post office in South Africa. The Garden Route, with all the fascinating stops along the way, is without a doubt one of South Africa's most spectacular attractions.

DVD. Luxury Trains of the World. 55 Minutes. Discover the world's most luxurious trains and relive a bygone era, when the journey itself was the most significant part of the experience; rather than simply getting there. A journey where the passenger becomes a real traveler and is able to experience the much more gracious way of travel - in a living recreation of the golden age of rail. The Blue Train first ran in 1946 but, like South Africa itself, has had to change and make the journey into the modern world. All the best elements have been retained however; the standard of accommodation and service, like the breathtaking and varied scenery, are unsurpassed anywhere in the world. today as ever.

DVD. Luxury Trains of the World. 170 Minutes.

Travel Video. DVD. Extravaganza. Sun City is the Las Vegas of South Africa and is located just 140 kilometres west of Johannesburg. It's a feast of lavish hotels, entertainment and fantasy amid an abundance of African ambience. Water World is the perfect paradise for water sport enthusiasts. Kept at a constant temperature, a 750 metre long artificial lake offers many exciting features, including water skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. The Sun City Hotel and its spacious, luxuriant gardens and playful water fountains is an ideal place to relax or to gamble the hours away, whether it be Black Jack, American Roulette or Stud Poker, the hotel's casino will satisfy the needs of all those who want to take a chance. It's the largest casino outside America! The Cascades Hotel has 243 luxurious rooms and suites that provide a magnificent view of the hotel's tropical gardens and golf course. To maximize the leisurely atmosphere, water is put to good use as gigantic fountains and subtle water displays calm the African heat. The hotel's fascinating garden is best visited with an expert guide, due to its large wealth of flora and fauna it has all the variety of a formal botanical garden. The hotel's amusement park is like something from another world, with deep gorges, mighty rocks and amazing waterfalls. The Valley of Waves means turquoise-colored water and a white sandy beach scattered with palm trees as well as an extraordinary 6,500 m? swimming pool with computer-controlled, often dramatic, artificial waves. The Palace of the Lost City is a unique fantasy creation. The atrium contains a fresco with motifs of African animals and the 30 metre high cupola is a reminder of Rome's Sistine Chapel, African style. The richly decorated building with its cupolas and 70 metre tall towers is like a fantastic jungle palace.

DVD. Luxury Trains of the World. 55 Minutes. Discover the world's most luxurious trains and relive a bygone era, when the journey itself was the most significant part of the experience; rather than simply getting there. A journey where the passenger becomes a real traveller and is able to experience the much more gracious way of travel - in a living recreation of the golden age of rail. A luxury train journey through Zimbabwe from Bulawayo to the natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls. Reliving the golden age of the steam train, the rail route travels through some of the continent's best game country. The railway was a central plank of a planned British colonization of the entire African continent by Cecil John Rhodes, and the route is rich in historical traditions. Rhodes' private carriage is still used by the Train De Luxe on the journey.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Located on the southern edge of Africa and lying at the foot of Table Mountain, the metropolis of Cape Town is certainly one of the world's most beautiful cities, an exciting combination of Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. In the park-lined Government Avenue and Queen Victoria Street there's a wonderful collection of well-restored Victorian houses and the Anglican St.Georges Cathedral is where Archbishop Desmond Tutu protested against Apartheid. Part of the historic harbour is the Victoria And Alfred Waterfront. In 1860, Prince Alfred ordered construction of a new harbour basin, followed by the Victoria Basin that contained two watchtowers. Today, the whole of the old port is an internationally-styled entertainment and shopping complex. The two large water tanks in the harbour's Two Ocean Aquarium contain around 3,000 examples of sea life from the Indian and Atlantic oceans. In the adjoining South African Maritime Museum there are examples of the city's historic ships, its fishing industry and details on the construction of its outstanding harbour. Robben Island is situated 11 km. off the coast and in the 16th century the Dutch used it as a prison. During apartheid, political prisoners were incarcerated there, the prison's most famous inmate having been Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years of his 28 year sentence on the island. After the closure of the prison, in 1997 the South African government opened both the island and its former prison to the public. Thus the face of Robben Island changed from being a place of terror and suppression to one of pilgrimage, a symbol of resistance and also a major tourist attraction! The Cape Of Good Hope is the southernmost tip of Africa and since1936 this section of the Cape Peninsula has been a nature reserve. Cape Town and its environs are completely different to the normal expectations of Africa. No desolate bush land reaching to the horizon and no life-threatening wild animals. But it's certainly another remarkable and beautiful dimension to South Africa's magnificent Garden Of Eden!

DVD. Exploring "Exploring The Cape of South Africa" takes us to the very southern tip of Africa and the Cape Peninsula. We tour the modern city of Cape Town and its surrounding countryside. On top of Table Mountain we see a spectacular view and an unusual animal, the Dassie. Learn about the flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom along with a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Cape Peninsula. Enjoy the historical area of the Cape of Good Hope with its scenic views. Visit an African Penguin rookery and learn about their habitat and behavior. We learn about their habitat and behavior. We learn about the water currents around the cape and see some of the marine life, which lives here. Tour the wine country around the town of Stellenbosch. Then visit the township of New Rest to see its progress since the end of apartheid. Overall, it is a fascinating area of the world to visit.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. A boat leaves the South African city of Capetown and heads for Robben Island which lies just 11 km. off the coast. In the 16th century, the Dutch used the island as a prison but only the remains of later buildings survived. During apartheid, political prisoners were incarcerated there, the prison's most famous inmate having been Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years of his 28 year sentence on the island. He secretly wrote the first part of his memoirs there as well as numerous love letters to his former wife. The island's museum is full of fascinating information about the prison, its former conditions and the everyday life of its inmates. Up until the 1970's the prison didn't possess a dining hall or any modern sanitation. In the course of time, conditions slowly improved even though contact with the outside world was prohibited. Visitors, and even radio news broadcasts, were prohibited. After the closure of the prison, in 1997 the South African government opened both the island and its former prison to the public. Thus the face of Robben Island changed from being a place of terror and suppression to one of pilgrimage, a symbol of resistance and also a major tourist attraction!

DVD. Sports Safaris. 30 Minutes. This is the adventure that every skier aspires to at least once in their lifetime. A helicopter gets you miles of untracked soft fresh powder snow. Then we’ll touch down in Cape Town, South Africa to see the world’s speediest little boat race.

DVD. Fabled table mountain.Fabulous coastlines & beaches.Cape of good hope.Stellenbosch.Nelson mandela & robben island.Desmond tutu. Apartheid.District six & the townshipflats.Kirstenbosch gardens.The vineyards of constantia &franchoek, and more. 35 minutes "In this informative program, which transcends travelogue, the people, culture, and history of Cape Town are favorably considered in a context that doesn't ignore past injustices." - Booklist.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Johannesburg is the commercial centre of South Africa.