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.
Sharing an unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is one of Africa’s most prestigious safari destinations and was the first private game reserve established in South Africa. Spanning 65,000 hectares of pristine wilderness, the reserve encompasses rolling savannah, Lowveld woodlands, seasonal riverbeds, watering holes and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers. Renowned for its exceptional wildlife viewing, Sabi Sand offers some of the best opportunities in Africa to encounter the Big Five, particularly its famous leopard population, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species. Visitors can enjoy unforgettable game drives, guided bush walks and magical evenings beneath star-filled skies. Combined with some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges, Sabi Sand delivers an unrivalled blend of wilderness, exclusivity and world-class hospitality.
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.
As the largest island in the Seychelles, Mahé combines granite peaks, dense tropical forest and curved beaches washed by the warm Indian Ocean. The island’s coastal roads wind past fishing villages, market stalls and quiet coves, while Morne Seychellois National Park offers hiking trails through misty hills scented with cinnamon and wet earth. Offshore reefs and calm bays create excellent conditions for snorkelling, diving and boat excursions, with clear water revealing coral gardens and bright tropical fish beneath the surface. In Victoria, colourful Creole influences shape the food, music and daily life, giving the island a more lived-in atmosphere than some of Seychelles’ smaller resort islands. Mahé balances natural beauty with local character, though travel between beaches can involve steep, winding roads.
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 over almost 40 square kilometres, the island features lush tropical forest, pristine, world-famous beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, and crystal-clear turquoise waters framed by striking granite boulders. According to local legend, it may have served as a pirate hideout in the 17th and early 18th centuries, and today it is a popular resort destination. Praslin is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, where ancient coco de mer palms produce the largest seeds in the plant kingdom and where the rare, endemic Seychelles Black Parrot is found. 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. Historically, La Digue was settled by French colonists in the late 18th century, and remnants of its colonial past, such as the L'Union Estate with its traditional plantation house and vanilla fields, are still evident. 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.
