I don't know about South Africa, but here in the US we have a large chunk of scrubland/desert mostly centered around west Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and parts of California... often referred to as "sagebrush country." In summer — when afternoon temperatures often rise to 35-45 degrees C — it is also "monsoon season" which means extreme afternoon thunderstorms and downpours.

The scent of rain hitting hot parched land, mixing with the perfume of many species of sage and other desert herbs can truly be a "spiritual experience."

=^..^=