Reading travel guides before your trip is a great way to prepare. You can learn general advice for travelling, plan out weekend trips, and find activities that match your interests. UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries own a number of basic guidebooks to South Africa, as well as guidebooks focusing on special interests.

A Few Travel Guides to Start With

Pinchuck, Tony, et al. The Rough Guide to South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. New York, NY: Rough Guides, 2005.
Popular with young world travellers, the Rough Guide series focuses on experiencing a country to the fullest, while on a budget. From Capetown to Johannesburg, you'll find complete listings for where to stay, eat and savor the local culture, including advice on taking township tours. No other handbook can match the Rough Guide's illuminating history and expert take on South Africa today. Rough Guides' web site provides current and additional information.
Undergraduate Library DT1717.R68

Fodor's Exploring South Africa. New York, NY: Fodor's, 2006.
Fodor's Guides focus on the highlights of lodging, sights, and food. Fodor's Travel Online provides current travel advice, updated daily.
Undergraduate Library DT1717.F62

Borchert, Peter. This Is South Africa. New Holland Publishers, London, UK, 2000.
This work provides a visual essay on South Africa, its peoples and their cultures. The photographs are complemented by a text that both establishes historical perspective and offers an insight into the realities of a country moving hesitantly into a challenging future.
Davis Library DT753 .T45 2000

Mason, David. A Traveller's History of South Africa. New York, NY: Interlink, 2004.
Mason's book is intended as a comprehensive single-volume survey of South Africa, and includes practical information for the visitor, as well as a full compendium of historical facts and data.
Stone Center Library DT1787 .M38 2004

Coe, Karen and Chris Coe. Cape Town. Princeton, NJ: Berlitz, 2000.
The Berlitz Pocket Guide to Cape Town is packed with stunning photographs, easy-to-use maps, and all the information you really need to get the most from your visit.
Davis Library DT2405 .C362 C64 2000