Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
The Paarl Wine Route is situated roughly 60 kilometres inland from Cape Town and stretches north of Stellenbosch, and is one of the most famous wine regions in the country. The area is particularly notable for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay. However, extremely hot, dry summers and cold winters allow for a wide variety - visitors will also find superb roses, sparkling wines, and dessert wines - as well as plenty of other reds and whites. Culinary enthusiasts flock here as much for the impressive restaurants as for the wines - with most of these overlooking jaw-dropping pastoral scenes. Must-see estates include Fairview, Glen Carlou, Black Pearl, and the Vilafonte project, a highly acclaimed Napa Valley/Paarl collaboration. Travellers can also look forward to stately heritage architecture, an array of excellent museums, and some lovely boutiques.
Sandwiched between Betty’s and Gordan’s Bay in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape is the charming, small coastal village of Pringle Bay. Boasting the lush green vegetation, sun-bleached shores, glistening blue sea and the rocky terrain of Hangklip Mountain, famed for its ‘hanging rock’ which leans out to sea, this delightful seaside community offers picturesque vistas from all angles. Travellers can spend a day meandering through the lively town centre, searching for the many hidden gems of the charity store, and indulging in mouth-watering, fresh seafood dishes at one of the inviting restaurants. Those who want more serene surroundings can snorkel, swim, surf or sunbathe at the wondrous Pringle Bay Beach; while adventure-seekers can hike the mountainous landscape of the Hangklip Trail.
Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the glistening Indian Ocean, this lush 200-kilometre stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth provides one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Visitors typically base themselves at the heart of the Garden Route - either in Knysna, complete with its scenic lagoon; or neighbouring Plettenberg Bay, famous for its excellent beaches - and then spend a few days exploring countless surrounding attractions. Whether you are seeking pristine, uncrowded white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, ancient forests, top-notch surf spots, extraordinary nature reserves, excellent hiking opportunities or exhilarating outdoor adventures such as bungee jumping or ziplining, the Garden Route has it all.
Situated at the heart of South Africa’s spectacular Garden Route, Gondwana Game Reserve holds the distinction of being the only Fynbos reserve in the world with free-roaming Big Five game as well as endangered species like the Cape Mountain Zebra, Black Rhinoceros, and Black Harrier among many others. The landscapes here are characterised by towering mountains, green rolling hills, and swathes of brighty-colored fynbos - creating ample opportunities for outdoor adventure and nature photography. Visitors can look forward to top-notch game drives, superb fishing, and a wonderful Junior Ranger program for children. An idyllic climate - the second most moderate in the world - adds further appeal. The reserve is situated a convenient 25 minutes outside the charming coastal town of Mossel Bay and a mere four hours’ drive from Cape Town.
