Cape Town is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No matter what you do here – and there is a lot to choose from – you will leave with that iconic image in your memory of the spectacular Table Mountain, rising over the city, nestled between the mountains and the sea. A journey to the top of the mountain by cable car or on foot is not to be missed. Other attractions are seemingly unlimited. It is a large, cosmopolitan city, and at the same time, it has an abundance of nature to explore. Top attractions include: the bustling V&A Waterfront with a myriad of shops and restaurants; Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once held captive; a breeding colony of African penguins on Boulders Beach; the brightly colored houses of the Bo-Kaap community; and the soft sands of the beaches in Camps Bay. Be sure to visit the historic towns of the nearby Winelands for local art, delicious food and wine, and stunning views.
Magnificent Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world, is truly awe-inspiring. It is the result of the mighty Zambezi River tumbling to a depth of more than 350 feet and stretching over 1 mile wide. Known by the local people as Mosi-oa-tunya – “The smoke that thunders” – its spray can be seen 18 miles away! The Falls is shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, and visitors can easily cross over to experience the view, and partake in activities, on both sides.
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most amazing destinations. This vast inland delta, the largest in the world, is nearly 6000 sq. miles of wonderful wetlands – lagoons, sinuous channels, lakes, flooded grasslands, and thousands of islands. This incredible oasis, which lies in the middle of an enormous desert, is appropriately nicknamed the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari.
This wetland paradise supports a staggering amount and diversity of animals, including 122 species of mammals, 71 species of fish, 444 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles and 1300 species of flowering plants. Visitors can explore the Delta on land and water – by land rover, on foot, and in “mokoros”, small traditional boats used to travel in the shallow waters. It is a very memorable, iconic activity that the Okavango is famous for – a “must do” for any visitor.
The Makgadikgadi Pan is the world’s largest salt pan, formed on the bed of an ancient lake that began evaporating aeons ago. Visiting Makgadikgadi is a unique desert experience: in the dry season, this vast expanse of sun-baked salt glistens in the light and when the rains come, the pan is home to a cornucopia of flamingos and other waterbirds, as well as one of Africa's biggest zebra populations, whose annual migration is a wonder to behold.
