Sample Mellow South Africa

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. Cradled by Table Mountain, it has immense charm and historical interest. We never tire of soaking up the beauty & buzzy atmosphere of this relaxed city with its cosmopolitan dining options.

No Cape Town visit is complete without taking the cable car up Table Mountain. You can even abseil off the top for the ultimate adrenalin rush. In the city, you can visit the colourful Bokaap quarter, an ecletic array of museums from District Six to the Museum of Gold or browse through the vibey street markets such as Greenmarket Square. Alternatively meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, head out to Robben Island by boat or simply relax on the golden beaches of Camps Bay or Llandudno.

When you want to range further, the Cape Peninsula offers one of the finest coastal drives in Africa – Chapmans Peak Drive - to the Cape of Good Hope. Here you might see whales breeching just off the bay or quirky penguins on Boulders Beach.

The picturesque village of Franschhoek is brimming with ‘joie de vivre’ and rural charm. It’s full of gourmet restaurants, eclectic shops and boutique hotels. All in a pretty valley setting surrounded by mountains.

The origins of Franschhoek date back to 1688 when some of the French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution settled in the valley, then known as Elephants Corner. With their arrival, it became known as French Corner, or 'Franschhoek' in Afrikaans. The French influence is still very evident today with wine estates such as Mont Rochelle, Haute Cabriere, La Motte or L'Omarins, and in the number of award-winning restaurants.

Plettenberg Bay, known as 'Plett, is a chic resort town with long sandy beaches and a panoramic view of the sweeping bay, backed by the velvet-green Tsitsikamma Mountains.

'Plett' is known for its vast expanses of golden beach. It is immensely popular with South Africans as well as occasional sorties by the international polo jet-set crowd. But outside of the festive season it returns to being a charming seaside town.

From the beaches, you may be lucky to see the Southern Right Whales which comes right into the bay to calf from July to November. Daily water safaris are on offer for boat-based whale-watching. Other activities include cruising up the Keurbooms River, enjoying an alfresco lunch at Lookout Beach and coastal walking in the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve.

It also makes a great base to explore The Crags. Here you can visit the Monkeyland primate sanctuary, Birds of Eden, the Elephant sanctuary, even wine-tasting at Bramon. To the east lies the Tsitsikamma, a dense indigenous forest, with rugged ravines, streams and waterfalls. Enjoy the short but scenic walk to the suspension bridge over the majestic Storms River mouth. The adventurous can opt for more hectic walking trails, bungi-jumping or ziplining through the forest on the Treetop Canopy Tour.

Just north of Ballito on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Salt Rock offers a laid-back holiday atmosphere for beach lovers. Once the home of King Shaka Zulu, the riches of this destination now lie in its irresistible golden beaches, turquoise tidal pools, and warm Indian Ocean waves, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Besides swimming and sunbathing, visitors can also look forward to microlight flights, skydiving, fishing, diving, snorkelling, and excellent hikes along the coast, as well as leisurely walks along the wooden boardwalks next to the ocean for gorgeous views. The wonderful Litchi Orchard Market is a great place to sample delicious local fare and browse through superb arts and crafts.

Encircled by the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, St Lucia is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. St Lucia lies on the magnificent St Lucia Estuary which is one of the largest in Africa stretching over 85 kilometres. It features abundant wildlife, pristine natural beauty, and offers a wide range of wonderful activities. This haven of tranquillity offers excellent mountain biking, hiking, bird watching and deep-sea fishing. Visitors can also look forward to thrilling night drive safaris, hippo and crocodile cruises, and many comfortable accommodation options.

Named after the many thorny climbers that were once found along the Hluhluwe River, on whose banks the town rests, Hluhluwe is nestled between 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.

Set in what is arguably Swaziland’s most spectacularly beautiful region – the aptly named ‘Valley of Heaven’ – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural wonderland of grassy plains, granitic mountains, cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife. The southern section can be explored on foot, mountain bike, horseback or in vehicles, while access to the more remote northern half is restricted to guided hiking groups. Located relatively close to the reserve are the towns of Malkerns and Ezulwini, famous for their many craft shops and other attractions. Visitors can also look forward to staying in traditional beehive-shaped huts and enjoying a breakfast overlooking hippo and crocodiles wading in the water and resting on the banks.

A safari is nearly always an important part of a holiday in Southern Africa - words cannot describe the thrill of tracking a leopard on the hunt or observing a breeding herd of elephants at a waterhole. Covering nearly 2 million hectares, the Kruger Park is one of the largest national parks in the world, with the greatest diversity of species with 147 mammals and 510 birds. One of the finest nature reserves in Africa, the Kruger is a vast wilderness of thorn trees, prolific game and sub-tropical heat. It is home not only to The Big Seven - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, cheetah and wild dog, but also to an abundance of smaller, equally fascinating animals and birdlife.

Within the National Park there are a number of private concessions and safari lodges, as well as the simpler Park board restcamps.

Situated just north of Mbombela in Mpumalanga, South Africa, White River is a quiet, peaceful town made up of a large farming community. Culinary types will delight in the town’s renowned delicious tropical fruits, tasty vegetables and wineries, while history lovers should stroll around town and check out White River’s early Lowveld architecture, or explore the fascinating White River History and Motor Museum. Three dams, thick forests, a picturesque botanical garden, and distinctive rock formations enhance the splendour of the area, making it an ideal base for hiking and nature photography. Several incredible reserves can also be reached easily from here, including the world-famous Kruger National Park. Other highlights include a reptile park, a wonderful art studio, and numerous craft and antique shops. The Born Biking Indoor Skate Park appeals to active travellers.