2024 - South Africa Surprise - 15 Days

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. 

The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra modern skyscrapers.  There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest.  There and numerous shops available for shopping and the many restaurants cater for all tastes.  The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.  (ITT)

Surrounded by subtropical fruit orchards, Hazyview is a small farming town and a gateway to the southern part of the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Escarpment.

The town and its scenic surroundings serve as a popular adventure capital with an array of outdoor activities on offer to suit all ages, tastes and fitness levels.  These include, among others: mountain biking, quad biking, ziplining, tubing, abseiling and river rafting.   Whether you are eager to hike the Panorama Route with its beautiful views and waterfalls, visit the Shangana Cultural Village, undertake a safari in the Park or go horse riding along the banks of the Sabie River, Hazyview has something for just about everyone.  (ITT)

eSwatini (previously known as Swaziland), a small, landlocked monarchy in Southern Africa, is known for its wilderness reserves and festivals showcasing traditional Swazi culture.  Marking its northeastern border with Mozambique and stretching down to South Africa, the Lebombo Mountains are a backdrop for Mlawula Nature Reserve’s many hiking trails. 

eSwatini encompasses a diverse array of ecosystems – towering mountains and low-lying savannah, tangled rainforests and lush river valleys. Highlights of this laid-back land include the beautiful ‘Valley of Heaven’, the handicraft haven of the Malkerns Valley with the famous Swazi Candles and Ngwenya Glassblowers and the  Hlane Royal National Park, which is home to diverse wildlife including white rhinos,lions, hippos, antelopes and elephants.  (ITT)

Named after the many thorny climbers that were once found along the Hluhluwe River, on whose banks the town rests, Hluhluwe is sandwiched between the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. This fact ensures that visitors will be treated to incredibly scenic surroundings. Those who enjoy fresh, juicy South African pineapples can indulge themselves to the fullest, with most of the country’s pineapples produced in this region. Visitors can also look forward to exploring one of many surrounding reserves to view the world-renowned Big Five; soaking up the incredible natural scenery; and enjoying a variety of activities including scuba diving, horse riding, hiking, canoeing, boat cruises, and mountain biking.

Umhlanga Rocks is situated north of Durban. The subtropical weather and lush vegetation make it a  holiday destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. It is a perfect location for sun worshippers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, with opportunities for diving, swimming at secured beaches, whale and dolphin watching, deep sea fishing and kite boarding. The long sandy beaches and the promenade parallel to the beach are other reasons why Umhlanga Rocks is a popular holiday destination. In the vicinity are some golf courses, the well-respected Sharks Board and great shopping centres, such as the enormous Gateway Shopping Mall.

The harbour city of Durban, reachable in 20 minutes, is also a popular destination, with many attractions, including the Moses Mabhida football stadium, from where guests have a wonderful view over the whole region after taking the Sky Car up to the arch over the stadium, the bustling Indian market, called the Victoria Street Market, Ushaka Marine Centre and many interesting galleries. The promenade running for several kilometres along the beachfront and known as the Golden Mile, is popular with walkers and cyclists alike. (ITT)

The Drakensberg in the province of KwaZulu-Natal consists of an imposing wall of rock that rises to 3000m, creating  inspiring views and hikes.  Known to the Zulus as the Barrier of Spears and to the first European settlers as the Dragon's Mountains, the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg is 1 of 8 South African UNESCO World Heritage sites, both for its significance as a natural resource and for the heritage of the San Paintings. For thousands of years they hosted the San people who left their record on the walls on numerous sandstone caves.  Today most of the Drakensberg are protected as a National Park and are a major attraction for the lover of the outdoors.

The Southern Drakensberg is a wonderland of woodlands, forests, lakes and rivers, all set against the dramatic backdrop of this mountain range.  Several nature reserves fall into the area and protect a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some rare antelope species and, at Kamberg, a network of beautiful hiking trails lead to caves decorated with ancient Khoisan art. Trout thrive in the region’s reservoirs and waterways, making it a magnet for fly-fishermen, while horse riding and mountain biking are also popular pursuits in this scenic part of the world. 

The ultimate highlight of the Southern Drakensberg, however, is the Sani Pass, which – at almost 3,000 metres above sea level – is South Africa’s highest pass, leading all the way to the Lesotho border and offering magnificent vistas along the way.  (ITT)

Situated close to the city of East London in the Eastern Cape Province, Chintsa is a hidden treasure along the Wild Coast of South Africa.  It is made up of two small villages: Chintsa East and Chintsa West, which are separated by the Chintsa River Mouth.

It features a pristine, unspoilt long stretch of white-sand beach fringed by dense vegetation scattered with a variety of wonderful places to stay ranging from luxury to budget accommodation.  Chintsa offers visitors the opportunity to surf the waves, kayak along the river, enjoy a fishing excursion and soak up the African sun on the beach.  (ITT)

Backed by the Tsitsikamma Mountains’ mighty Storms River Peak and surrounded by swathes of indigenous forest, Stormsriver Village, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is a scenic adventure sports enthusiast's paradise. At the Tsitsikamma National Park and other parks nearby - characterised by wildlife-filled jungles, rivers, and sea - adrenaline-junkies can enjoy canopying, ziplining, tubing, kayaking, snorkelling, segway riding, cycling, and hiking. An especially popular attraction nearby is the Bloukrans River Bridge, the highest in Africa, where spine-tingling bungee jumping can be enjoyed. The famous Otter Trail begins here, and the surf mecca Jeffrey’s Bay lies just 80 kilometres away. Other highlights include luxury spas; charming craft stalls and boutiques; and a collection of interesting restaurants, such as Marilyn’s 60’s Diner, a retro eatery decorated with a jukebox, 1961 Dodge Lancer, and various other vintage cars.

Sandwiched between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean in the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna is known as the ‘Garden of Eden’. Knysna is located on a vast lagoon, sheltered from the sea by two mountain ridges, known as the eastern and western “Heads”. In its vicinity are dense indigenous forests, lagoons and pristine beaches.

Visitors can look forward to an array of markets in the area, offering organic food and locally-made crafts, explore the town’s Waterfront and quaint streets, hike through the forests, hopefully catching a glimpse of the multi-coloured Knysna Loerie, take a ferry trip to the Heads or to the famed Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Western Knysna Head and sample the local oysters, which Knysna is famous for.

With Knysna as a base for a couple of days guests can visit Monkeyland, an extensive primate sanctuary and Birds of Eden, the biggest free flight aviary in Africa, the Tsitsikamma National Park, the Big Tree and a number of vineyards on the relatively new Garden Route Wine Route. A wide range of activities including surfing, swimming, yachting, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and golfing can also be enjoyed here. (ITT)

Oudtshoorn, a town in the Little Karoo, is famous for its ostriches and the fascinating Cango Caves.  Located along the renowned Route 62 just an hour and a half from the Garden Route, Oudtshoorn is known as the Ostrich Capital of the World:  these huge birds are almost as common as people in this charming town with its numerous "Feather Palaces", as the stately homes dotted around the town are called.

Other than ostriches and the feathers and meat they provide, the Oudtshoorn area also attracts visitors to the Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa, permeated with sparkling stalactites and stalagmites and captivating rock formations. It is also the gateway to the spectacular Swartberg Pass, which winds its way over the rugged Swartberg Mountains to the little Hamlet of Prince Albert. (ITT)

Resting where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet, sandwiched between the slopes of Table Mountain and the sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, while others boast landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders.

Cape Town is lucky enough to be blessed with all of these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit. (ITT)