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.
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.
A safari is nearly always an important part of a trip to South Africa - words cannot describe the thrill of tracking a leopard on the hunt or observing a breeding herd of elephants at a waterhole. The 65,000ha Sabi Sands is one of the premier wildlife destinations in Southern Africa, offering superb game-viewing and stylish lodges. It shares an open border with the Kruger so animals move freely between the two reserves.
Two perennial rivers, the Sabi and the Sand flow through this game reserve, sustaining the diverse fauna and flora of the area. Due to a long history of sensitive game-viewing, the animals are generally relaxed around game vehicles, especially leopard. So diverse is its habitat and wildlife that you have an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with the 'Big 5' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as many species of antelope, several dog-like species including spotted hyena, wild dog and jackal.
The Sabi Sands comprises a number of private game lodges which cooperate in conserving their valuable heritage. Some of the world's finest game lodges are found here, together with some less well-known bush camps.
A Sabi Sands safari is an intimate and informative experience. You enjoy game drives in open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger and a local Shangaan tracker who work together to give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Drives are in the early morning and late afternoon when game is most likely to be active. The evening meal is often enjoyed in a 'boma' or even in the bush around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat.
Surrounded by subtropical fruit orchards, Hazyview is a small farming town and a gateway to the southern part of the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Escarpment. The town and its spectacularly scenic surroundings, serve as a popular adventure capital with a remarkable array of exhilarating outdoor activities on offer to suit all ages, tastes and fitness levels. These include, among others: mountain biking, quad biking, ziplining, tubing, abseiling, and river rafting. Whether you are eager to hike the Panorama Route with its breathtaking views and impressive waterfalls, visit the Shangana Cultural Village, or horse ride along the banks of the magnificent Sabie River, Hazyview has something for just about everyone.
This unique, peanut-shaped country, once known as Northern Rhodesia, offers visitors an authentic African experience complete with adrenalin pumping adventure sports, a variety of fascinating cultural activities, and an abundance of indigenous wildlife, which finds refuge in Zambia’s vast national parks. Spend your evenings enjoying the spectacular site of the world’s largest waterfall, the Victoria Falls, while sipping on sundowners after an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting down the rapids of the mighty Zambezi River. If that sounds a little too adventurous for your taste, take a houseboat cruise along the exquisite Lake Kariba while watching wild elephants drink at the riverbank as you try your hand at catching the elusive tiger fish. However you choose to spend your time in this unique country, you are bound to leave with a heavy heart and a desire to return again soon to this exceptionally beautiful Southern African country.
The Victoria Falls is a dramatic natural wonder of the world as well as a World Heritage Site. It certainly is a sight not to be missed: the clouds of spray generated by this thunderous descent have resulted in a lush rain forest full of stunning wild flowers and the most spectacular views of the Falls are from the Zambian side of the gorge.
Various optional activities are on offer including canoeing and languorous sunset river cruises on the tranquil Upper Zambezi above the falls. To gain an overall impression of the Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is considered essential by some. For the more adventurous, micro light flights, terrifying bungee jumping and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world are all available. Game drives and horse riding are also offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo as well as elephant interactions.
The best time to view the Falls is probably between April/May and August when the spray is less so that the Falls are easier to capture on film and yet the flow of water is still impressive. As the dry season progresses, the volume of water over the Falls declines quite dramatically. Visitors in late September to December need to be aware of this and we recommend that you book a helicopter trip or a microlite flight over the Victoria Falls so that you can enjoy the full length of the Falls.
