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.
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)
Synonymous with the birth of the international diamond trade, Kimberley is a picturesque little town with a big history. It was the first town to install electric street lights in the southern hemisphere and today it is the largest city and capital of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. Kimberly is renowned for the Big Hole, which is the largest man-made excavation in the world. Kimberley also featured prominently during the Anglo-Boer war when it was besieged by the Boers. Visitors can explore some of the most famous battle sites of the Anglo-Boer war fringing the town as well as soak up some impressive historical attractions scattered throughout the town. (ITT)
Extending across 400 000 square kilometres of the country, the Karoo is South Africa’s largest ecosystem and its semi-arid scrublands shelter a surprisingly rich diversity of plant, bird and animal life. Composed of the Great and Little Karoo, this vast semi-desert region may seem harsh and unforgiving to some, but to others, it’s a sanctuary of peace and silence with its own unique, compelling beauty. The Karoo’s landscape is characterised by rugged mountains hiding ancient caves giving way to vast undulating plains peppered with indigenous succulents and grazing ostrich and sheep. Highlights of the area are the fossil trail in the Karoo National Park and the annual Olive Festival in the small town of Prince Albert. (ITT)
Located in the heart of the remote and mysterious Great Karoo, Graaff-Reinet is surrounded by the rolling plains and rising mountains of Camdeboo National Park. This is a wonderful place to escape from reality and revel in the solitude, silence and clear, star-studded nights that this secluded town provides. Graaff-Reinet, as the fourth oldest town in the country, has a rich history and features ancient fossils, wonderful examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and over 220 local heritage sites. Visitors can look forward to an array of activities including: soaking up the breathtaking views of the 'Valley of Desolation' in the Camdeboo National Park, enjoying a night under the African stars at a local guest farm, and sample the area’s renowned Karoo lamb. (ITT)
The award-winning Samara Private Game Reserve is comprised of 27,000 hectares of pristine wilderness, located in South Africa's Great Karoo region, a landscape of seemingly infinite space, dramatic mountain ranges and vast skies. Home to cheetah, black and white rhino, giraffe, buffalo and great herds of antelope and zebra, Samara offers an unforgettable malaria-free safari and wilderness experience. Track these wild animals on foot, gaze over the spectacularly scenic landscapes with sundowners on Eagle Rock, or simply relax on your private verandah and take in the sights and sounds of this magnificent reserve. (ITT)
Straddling the border of the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces, the massive Gariep Dam is the largest dam in South Africa. This scenic area is known as a water sport mecca and offers a variety of wonderful activities as well as comfortable accommodation for its visitors. The dam is fringed by two nature reserves which are home to an array of wildlife including one of the world’s largest black wildebeest herds. Visitors can take a tour of the dam wall through hidden tunnels and up and down hundreds of steps and explore the surrounding area on the 165-kilometre Lake Gariep Route.. Other popular activities include fishing, boating, horse riding, tractor riding, canoe trips and quad biking. (ITT)
Set on the slopes of the Maluti Mountains, between Bethlehem and Lesotho, the arty, peaceful and scenic village of Clarens lies on the slopes of the Maluti Mountains is known as the ‘Jewel of the Free State’. Its abundant trees, including those bearing fruit, add vivid hues to the natural environment – colours which change slowly as one season blends into the next. With its numerous art galleries and curios, the town is a picturesque haven for artists and craftspeople. Horseriding, trout fishing, hiking, quad biking, hot air ballooning and river rafting are popular activities, and at the neighbouring Golden Gate Highlands National Parl nature and animal lovers have plenty more to explore (and may even spot zebra, eland, and other animals). Historic highlights include the Dinosaur Trail, several significant Boer-War and Great Trek sites, and some wonderful heritage architecture.
Located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains fall within the eponymous park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its exceptional natural beauty featuring soaring mountains, hidden caves, dramatic rock formations, and sandstone embankments blanketed by lush greenery. Visitors can spot an array of endemic species that thrive in the Drakensberg's diverse habitats, including many endangered plant and bird species. An unmissable highlight is the most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa and the spectacular views of the magnificent Tugela Falls, the highest waterfall on the continent. Other popular activities include hiking, bird watching, 4x4 excursions up Sani Pass, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and horse riding.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park lies nestled in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park derives its name from the shimmering shades of gold which are cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs. These highlands are some of the last protected highland areas in the country. Numerous paleontology finds have been made in the park, including dinosaur eggs and skeletons.
Visitors can take in spectacular views from Ribbokkop, the highest point in the Golden Gate Park or hike along a network of short nature trails and spot a variety of game. Commonly spotted wildlife includes black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, zebra, and rare birds such as the bearded vulture and bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Another feature of the area is the numerous caves and shelters displaying San rock paintings.(ITT)
