One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.
Adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is a private premier viewing destination. It was the first-ever private nature reserve established in South Africa. The landscape features 65 000 hectares of savannah-covered land interspersed with watering holes, dry river beds, Lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers. This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities with frequent sightings of the renowned Big Five as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of antelope. Visitors can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, dining under the stars, guided bush walks and enjoying a stay in some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges.
With such a dreamlike setting, the Seychelles is unsurprisingly a choice place for newlyweds. But for those looking for more than a suntan or romance, this archipelago offers a number of high-energy distractions. There are jungle and coastal walks, boat excursions, and diving and snorkelling to keep you buzzing. Ecotourism is big – there are marine parks and natural reserves filled with endemic species that are easy to approach. So if you are suffering from visions of tropical paradise, here is your medicine.
Mahe is the largest of the Seychelles islands and encompasses the country’s international airport as well as its capital, the surprisingly quiet and peaceful town of Victoria, home to roughly a third of the national population, as well as many good restaurants and entertainment venues. Mahe has a mountainous interior characterised by dense tropical forests and stony outcrops, while its coast is blessed with some 75-odd beautiful beaches. The best known of these is the idyllic, white-sand Beau Vallon, fringed by deep bays that offer excellent swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Set against a towering mountain carpeted in lush vegetation and bounded by the Marine National Park of Mahe, Sainte Anne is the largest island of the Seychelles Island chain. Travellers seeking an idyllic tropical getaway complete with palm-lined sandy beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters should look no further than the exquisite island of Sainte Anne. The island is home to a single luxury resort located on its southwestern point as well as a tiny nearby village. This absence of development has allowed the island to remain a peaceful sanctuary filled with natural flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy relaxing on one of Sainte Anne's six beautiful beaches, snorkelling or diving in the colourful underwater world or exploring the numerous hiking paths on offer.
Situated just off the north coast of the island of Praslin, Curieuse is a small granitic island in beautiful Seychelles. Originally named ‘Ile Rouge’ for its unique red earth mountains, Curieuse is known for its remarkable landscapes boasting mangrove forests, amazing rock formations, and golden-sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is known as the natural home to unique coco de mer trees as well as giant Aldabra tortoises. The waters surrounding the island form the Curieuse Marine National Park, home to coral gardens and an array of exotic marine life. Scattered with massive granite boulders, Anse St Jose is an idyllic beach perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Other popular activities include bird watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Positioned two kilometres west of Praslin, Cousin Island is a small island of Seychelles covered with beautiful indigenous woodland, mangroves, freshwater swamps, a marine reserve, stunning coral reefs, and fringed by a long sandy beach - a wonderland for nature enthusiasts. Animal lovers will be particularly excited to visit Cousin for its wildlife. The island is home to the highest density of lizards per hectare in the world and is one of the best-protected sites for nesting Hawksbill turtles (and occasionally green turtles), Aldabra Giant Tortoises, and the most diverse fish population of any reserve in the granitic islands. Bird lovers will also delight in the feathered inhabitants, of which there are five endemic land species and 300 000 nesting seabirds.
Dotting the Indian Ocean, Praslin Island is the second largest of the Seychelles’ islands and boasts a tranquil, laidback atmosphere. Stretching for almost 40 square kilometres, the island landscape features lush tropical jungle, fringed by pristine world-famous beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. According to local legend, the island served as a pirate hideout throughout the 18th century, and today it is a popular resort holiday destination. Praslin is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve with its groves of ancient coco de mer palms which produce the largest seeds in the plant kingdom. Popular activities include: turtle and tortoise spotting, snorkelling, diving and boating.
This picture-perfect island is part of the Seychelles Archipelago featuring ox-cart taxis, a verdant interior, calm aquamarine bays and stunningly beautiful beaches strewn with massive boulders; it is an utterly idyllic holiday destination. La Digue has retained a charming old-world atmosphere and a strong Creole identity, with traditions and ceremonies still a focal point of the island’s culture. Major attractions include the gorgeous Anse Source d'Argent beach and the Veuve Nature Reserve, home to the elusive black paradise flycatcher, of which there are only a couple of hundred left on earth.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park is just off the northeast coast of Mahe Island, located in the heart of Seychelles. It encompasses a collection of picturesque islands known for their pristine white-sand beaches, world-class snorkelling and diving spots, sumptuous Creole cuisine and extravagant hotels. The raw, unspoilt beauty of the environment draws many tourists annually. Sainte Anne Marine National Park forms a sanctuary to protect and sustain a unique concentration of underwater ecosystems. Visitors can discover the underwater coral garden wonderland and spot abundant marine life, such as many species of colourful tropical fish, manta rays and sea turtles hiding in the extensive seagrass meadows.
As previously described
