This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of African, Asian and European cultures. Spend your days discovering the gourmet restaurants, impressive art and nightlife scenes and fine beaches of Cape Town; enjoying a typical braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browsing the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sampling some of the world’s finest wines in the picturesque Cape Winelands.
Due to its rich and turbulent history there are plenty of historical attractions to explore including the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, South Africa’s attraction lies in its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across unfenced game reserves. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
The coastal city of Port Elizabeth is a laid-back and relaxing destination, incorporating aspects of big city life with the atmosphere of a small seaside town. Known as "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City" because of the notorious wind, Port Elizabeth has glorious blue flag beaches, including the renowned King's Beach, Pollock Beach and Seaview. Port Elizabeth is a very convenient city, with everything being 15 minutes away from each other, and encompasses brilliant world class facilities as well as lush greenery and scenic views.
PE has moderate weather, and is mostly warm and sunny with that famous breeze picking up after noon. The hotels and guesthouses around the beachfront area are stylish and contemporary and the swanky Sun International Boardwalk Casino and entertainment complex is the perfect place to spend an evening. Port Elizabeth is also home to the biggest mall in the Eastern Cape, Baywest, which has an array of high end stores and restaurants.
With the beautiful beach, warm African sun and a little bit of a social buzz, PE can be seen as a mini, more laid-back Cape Town that is a perfect and quiet holiday destination.
The Greater Addo Route stretches across the Sundays River to the Zuurberg Mountains in the Karoo and includes many activities along the way, with the Addo Elephant Park right at the heart of it. The route consists of the villages of Addo, Colchester, Canonville, Kirkwood and Paterson which each offer various adventure activities such as game drives, horse-back rides, hiking, canoeing and much more.
The Addo Elephant National Park is definitely the gem of the route and makes an incredible safari adventure. Consisting of over 600 elephants as well as the rest of the Big 5 (lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard) as well as the extended Big 7 (southern right whale and great white shark), it is well worth the visit. The valley of citrus tree in the Sundays River Valley which starts to bloom in October is also an excellent sight to see. Kirkwood is also known for its expansive 4x4 trail perfect for those craving some adventure.
The greater Addo Route makes a perfect road trip route that can be taken with family, friends, or anyone who wants to explore part of the Garden Route.
Nestled between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean and surrounded by lush forests is the quaint town of Knysna. The beautiful lagoon and more than eight beaches provide opportunities to swim, surf, canoe, yacht, boat, fish, or simply relax on the warm sand. Various markets offer organic goods, delicious food, indigenous plants and a social atmosphere. Mountains, valleys, lakes, forests and streams are ready and waiting to be explored. A birding route is available for avid bird watchers, and world-class golf courses is at your doorstep. The area is famous for the Knysna Heads, which affords unbelievable views over the town, as well as for their annual Oyster Festival.
Franschhoek – meaning ‘French Corner’ in Dutch – is a small, idyllic countryside village situated roughly an hour’s drive from Cape Town. The quaint town is world-renowned for its incredible vineyards where some of the finest local wines are made, and has been nicknamed the ‘Food and Wine Capital of South Africa’. Along these artisan routes, travellers will get to sample luxury cheeses, bread, wine, olives and chocolate for a truly regal experience. Take a stroll down the tree-lined avenues and browse the upmarket boutiques, charming art and wine galleries, and award-winning restaurants.
Cape Town is a coastal city in the Western Cape of South Africa, home to the world-renowned Table Mountain and Robben Island. The cosmopolitan city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa owing to its wonderful climate, beautiful setting, rich history and thrilling attractions. The city is a year-round destination that promises comfort, entertainment and beauty from winter through to summer. A vibrant and urban city, Cape Town is the perfect place for any traveller, whether you’re interested in nature and scenery, a bustling nightlife and food-and-drink scene, sensational sights and activities, or simply relaxing on the beach.
Madikwe Game Reserve is a hidden gem - considered one of the best conservation areas in Africa, this magnificent game reserve is the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa. The reserve boasts an average of 66 magnificent large animals, over 300 bird species and is home to the spectacular Big 5. The game reserve is surrounded by the Dwarsberg Mountains, situated against the border of Botswana in close proximity to the Kalahari Desert. Madikwe offers a range of exciting safaris where visitors can experience the reserve's diverse landscape, abundance of animals against a beautiful backdrop perfect for game viewing and excellent safari photography. The expansive area boasts a mosaic of vegetation including arid sweet bushveld, kalahari bushveld and mixed bushveld. There are three, four, five, six and seven day safaris, which can be tailored to the individual needs of visitors. The area is also home to the endangered African Wild Dog - an animal that is difficult to spot, making the sighting a rare privilege.
