One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.
Adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is a private premier viewing destination. It was the first-ever private nature reserve established in South Africa. The landscape features 65 000 hectares of savannah-covered land interspersed with watering holes, dry river beds, Lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers. This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities with frequent sightings of the renowned Big Five as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of antelope. Visitors can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, dining under the stars, guided bush walks and enjoying a stay in some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges.
Mozambique beckons with its coastline and swaying palms, its traditions, its cultures, its vibe and – most of all – its opportunities for adventure. This enigmatic southeast African country is well off most travellers' maps, but it has much to offer those who venture here: long, dune-fringed beaches, turquoise waters abounding in shoals of colourful fish, well-preserved corals, remote archipelagos in the north, pounding surf in the south and graceful dhows with billowing sails. Add to this colonial-style architecture, pulsating nightlife, an endlessly fascinating cultural mix and vast tracks of bush populated with elephants, lions and birds galore. Discovering these attractions is not always easy, but it is unfailingly rewarding. Bring along some patience and a sense of adventure, and jump in for the journey of a lifetime.
Renowned as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” the Bazaruto Archipelago offers peace, solitude and incredible sunrises and sunsets. These idyllic islands promise holidays full of fun, sea, sun and sand with superb diving, surfing, kite surfing, fishing, swimming, snorkelling or horseback riding on the beach.
Rare dugongs, sea horses, manta rays and whale sharks make their home in these warm Indian Ocean waters around Bazaruto Island, Benguerra Island, Magaruque Island and Santa Carolina (or Paradise) Island which are reached through Vilanculos. The coral reefs in these crystal clear waters offer some of the best diving in the world with dive sites reaching 30m/90 feet. Divers will feel like explorers in these uncrowded waters teeming with humpbacks, giant manta rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks and whale sharks.
October to the end of January is top notch Marlin fishing season and salt water fly fisherman will find plenty of bone fish.
Snorkelling above the splendid coral reefs is an unforgettable experience in this untouched paradise, which honeymooners present year round.
Kite surfing has taken a hold with beginners being able to stay in the shallow sheltered bays and experienced kite surfers can braze themselves for erratic tides and high winds on occasion.
