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.
Marakele National Park is situated in Limpopo Province, about three to four hours' drive from Pretoria, within the UNESCO-designated Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. Meaning "place of sanctuary" in Tswana, the park lives up to its name. Set amid the Waterberg Mountains, it occupies a transitional zone where South Africa's drier western interior meets the wetter eastern regions. Rugged mountains, rolling grasslands, deep valleys and indigenous forests provide habitat for elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs and a rich variety of birdlife. The park also protects one of the world's largest breeding colonies of endangered Cape vultures. A winding tar road climbs to the top of the Waterberg massif, where a vulture viewpoint offers close-up sightings of these impressive birds alongside sweeping views across the surrounding landscape.
