“This World Cup belongs to Africa!” declared Sepp Blatter, FIFA president, at the Cape Town Convention Centre on 5 December 2009, the long-awaited day of the World Cup 2010 draw. Needless to say, since then, Africa’s already considerable pride at hosting the world’s most popular sporting event grows by the day, in lock step with the excitement of soccer fanatics from all across the continent (and around the world) eagerly awaiting kickoff of the first game – South Africa versus Mexico in Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium at 4pm local time on 11 June 2010.

Supporters of Bafana Bafana, the South Africa national soccer team (photo courtesy of South African Tourism)

The success of the World Cup will however be measured by more than just the tenacity of the teams. Nearly 500,000 people are expected to visit South Africa from game 1 until the finals precisely one month later. Their presence comes as an important economic injection, especially in the tourism sector, as the hordes head out to experience the country.

So, as a primer for the independent traveller in South Africa during the games – the traveller passionate about soccer, but also about meeting and making a difference with the local communities hosting the games – here’s a quick overview of how between games you can connect with the people, just a small but important step in being a good guest.

On the World Cup Trail

Nine cities will be the stage for the 2010 World Cup: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Pretoria, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg.

The spread of destinations covers a great deal of the country, facilitating discovery of the diversity of regions and people.

Johannesburg

The opening match, nine other first-round matches, two second-round matches, two quarter finals and the finals will all be held in Johannesburg’s two venues: Ellis Park and Soccer City stadiums. Despite its bad reputation, Jo’burg is the financial hub of South Africa and a city full of life and interesting sights.

The busy city centre of Johannesburg

In between games is a perfect opportunity to take them in, not the least of which are the Museum of Apartheid, Soweto or other townships, the Mai-Mai market and the botanic gardens. Perhaps the best way to get to them and understand their significance is on any of several emotion-packed Johannesburg day tours possible through Urban Adventures.

Jo’burg is also within easy reach of two other game venues: Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria and Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, both sites of five first-round and one second-round matches.

Cape Town

Cape Town’s Cape Town Stadium will welcome 70,000 spectators to each of five first-round, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semi-final matches. More commonly known as the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most storied cities. Naming Cape Town’s top five attractions – Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, the Winelands and Cape Point – conveys some of its richness but only just scratches the surface, for there is a great deal more to see and do.

Wine tasting and cellar tours are favourite pastimes in the Cape Winelands. These Franschhoek vineyards are a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Cape Town.

As in Jo’burg, Cape Town tours are highly recommended, not only because they can help you get to places a little difficult to reach but because the accompanying guides put you in the right frame of mind to understand the important but sometimes intangible historical contexts, especially on Robben Island, where many political prisoners were incarcerated, including Nelson Mandela for over 20 years; the Cape Winelands, a perfect retreat for wine lovers; and any of several township and volunteer experiences that show you a different side of Cape life.

Cape Town is a good launch point for travel along South Africa’s famous Garden Route, an unspoiled and often inaccessible coastal corridor rich with wetlands, dunes, rivers, ancient forests, beaches, lakes, mountains and indigenous flora and fauna. Beyond its eastern reaches lies the seaside city of Port Elizabeth, whose Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the site of five first-round and one second-round matches, as well as a quarter-final game and the third-place playoff.

Nelspruit

The city of Nelspruit is the smallest of the host locations, a community of approximately 200,000 people who will welcome four first-round matches to their Mbombela Stadium.

Giraffes are commonly sighted in Kruger National Park, also home to the Big 5, Little 5 and the Birding Big 6

Nelspruit brings two of South Africa’s most tantalising natural wonders into easy reach: Kruger National Park, which is the country’s largest game reserve and a superb place for a safari; and the dramatic Panorama Route, just a short drive from Nelspruit. Both destinations offer an array of adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities, most of which are conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner involving both briefings about local flora and fauna and proactive measures to minimise impact on the environment.

Nelspruit could also be a point of departure to reach Polokwane, 300 kilometres to its northwest, where the Peter Mokaba Stadium will see four first-round matches. To reach Polokwane from Nelspuit, one could detour west across the nature-rich rolling hills of the Mpumalanga Highlands, where outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities from which to choose.

Bloemfontein and Durban

Both Bloemfontein and Durban will host five first-round matches and one second-round match each in their Free State Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium, respectively. One semi-final game will also be played in Durban.

Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital, is popularly referred to as the ‘City of Roses’ due in part to its floral displays and annual Bloem Show (late April/early may), the largest agricultural and entertainment show in the country.

Coastal and cosmopolitan, Durban is the place to go for sun, sea and sand. Most city attraction are found along its Golden Mile of beach, including uShaka Marine World (one of the world’s largest aquariums) and Wilson’s Wharf (the trendy shopping and dining distrinct) on the Victoria Embankment, where there’s no shortage of restaurants and nightclubs.

No wonder Rio is know as the Marvelous City! An aerial view of Corcovado Mountain and the Statue of Christ the Redeemer gives you just a little taste.

Not at all surprisingly, with all the international travellers flocking to Rio, Rio is also home to a wide range of tourism services. However, at a time when one of the most sough-after qualities of a tour operator is the degree to which it helps make a positive difference in a destination, there are surprisingly few who are genuinely doing the right thing.

Fortunately, we know one of the best. So if you wish to discover the true Rio, while also giving a little back to the city that welcomes you, turn to Blue Ocean Tour, your whl.travel local connection in Rio and the special kinds of packages they pull together that give you the fulfilment of having seen the highlights as well as helped the local community.

Responsible Rio

Blue Ocean Tour has contact with a variety of organisations that are involved with responsible tourism in a social, economic or environmental fashion. With regard to accommodation – one of the most important aspects of your visit – the Blue Ocean team works hand in hand with the hotel chain Hoteis Othon, known to be very active in social matters. The Othon’s Rio hotels – Olinda Othon, Lancaster Othon, Rio Othon Palace, Leme Othon Palace, Savoy Othon and California Othon – all support Uerê a non-governmental organisation that protects people’s family rights, in particular those of the poor.

Rocinha is the biggest favela in Latin America. During a tour, visitors can talk with locals and learn how rich and poor live in the same neighbourhoods.

If you are looking for tours that will make a difference, go on a Favela Tour. Favela is the word used to describe one of 750 residential areas built on the hillsides above the city. Home to approximately 20% of Rio’s population and reputed for their violence and poverty, the favelas are actually complex, diverse and welcoming communities. Marcelo Armstrong created this tour to allow visitors to discover Vila Canoas and Rocinha, the latter the biggest favela in Brazil, and make up their own minds about them. On a favela tour, you not only mingle with locals, you also contribute (through a portion of the tour price) to Para Ti, the community school attended by local kids to improve their computer skills and their abilities to make arts and crafts.

Eager hikers can do their part for responsible tourism by heading for a boot-clad trip in Rio’s Tijuca National Park, the biggest urban forest in the world. Certified guides have all been trained to make as little impact as possible, practicing themselves what they preach about environmentally sustainable appreciation of the surroundings. Don’t miss the incredible view of the city from Tijuca Peak.

Avid ethical golfing fans can also help by teeing up at the Japeri Golfe Clube for more than just an average game. From Tuesday to Friday, the club supports a social project that teaches local kids enrolled in public school to play the sport as a way to help them see new opportunities in life, not just those associated with social challenges common in the region, mainly related to drugs.

Reaching the top of Tijuca National Park (the biggest urban forest in the world) provides a rewarding 360-degree view of Rio de Janeiro

Do as They Say and Do

While there are many more sustainable projects in Rio, only a few of them are linked directly to tourism. Blue Ocean Tour, however, is one of a growing number of businesses trying to make a difference by supporting other organisations pursuing similar honourable goals, even if the sector is not the same. What matters is the thoughtful impact on the environment and the local community.

First and foremost, the team at Blue Ocean Tour focuses on setting a good example. None of the staff uses a private vehicle to commute to work; instead, everyone either walks or rides a bicycle. Once at work, they share one car, which runs on natural gas.

Through the PJMAIS program (an Oficina do Carbono project), Blue Ocean Tour also annually neutralises the carbon emissions from the operation of the office by planting native tree seedlings in a permanent preservation area. The PJMAIS program creates new revenue-generating opportunities for the young people of communities in forest areas. As part of a focus on sustainable coexistence with the environment, they monitor the seedlings for two years to ensure their survival.

For more information about responsible tourism in Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding region, including accommodations, tours, activities and lots of insider tips, contact your local whl.travel connection: the team from Blue Ocean Tour at www.riodejaneiro-hotels.travel.

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