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 local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browsing the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sampling some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotted around 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 massive game reserves such as the world famous Kruger National Park.
With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
The friendly farming town of Underberg lies at the feet of the mighty Drakensberg Mountains, in Kwa-Zulu-Natal’s Southern Drakensberg region. Surrounded by verdant swathes of green hills and plains, pretty mountain streams, and dramatic peaks, this is a popular destination among hikers, mountain bikers and photographers. There are also three pristine golf courses on offer. Underberg lies on the Sani Pass, also known as the ‘roof of Africa’, an incredible network of hikes winding into Lesotho from the Drakensberg Mountains (where thirsty travellers can also enjoy a drink at the highest pub in Africa). Arts and crafts enthusiasts will delight in the charming Underberg Pottery Studio and the quirky Funky Cow shop, where they can buy traditional Basotho blankets and souvenirs.
The small coastal town of Port St. Johns is known as the Jewel of the Wild Coast and is situated at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River in the Eastern Cape. Boasting pristine, white sandy beaches, a wide array of wonderful natural attractions, and fantastic fishing and surfing opportunities, the town is a favourite among families and those seeking a leisurely escape. The Selaka Nature Reserve offers a birdwatcher’s paradise and the chance to see the cute Cape clawless otters. Travellers looking for something a little different can head to the sulphur pools for a natural mud bath, which is a healing tradition among the local Pondo people, and rinse off in the calming river waters afterwards. Watching the natural wonder of the famous gap and blowhole on the beach presents an adrenaline-filled experience of the power of the sea and mother nature.
Addo Elephant National Park is set in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park is the country’s third largest national park and offers an unforgettable safari experience. This finely-tuned ecosystem provides a sanctuary to large numbers of elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, antelope, zebra and over 400 bird species.
This park has the ‘Big 7’ - the Big 5 plus the southern right whale and great white shark off the coast of the Algoa Bay. Spend your days marvelling at the free-roaming wildlife, enjoy 4x4 safari adventures, horse riding excursions, and night drives where you are likely to spot some fascinating nocturnal wildlife. Famed for its large herds of elephant, Addo provides an ideal, tranquil retreat for those looking to escape the stresses of big city living. (ITT)
