Cape Town is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No matter what you do here – and there is a lot to choose from – you will leave with that iconic image in your memory of the spectacular Table Mountain, rising over the city, nestled between the mountains and the sea. A journey to the top of the mountain by cable car or on foot is not to be missed. Other attractions are seemingly unlimited. It is a large, cosmopolitan city, and at the same time, it has an abundance of nature to explore. Top attractions include: the bustling V&A Waterfront with a myriad of shops and restaurants; Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once held captive; a breeding colony of African penguins on Boulders Beach; the brightly colored houses of the Bo-Kaap community; and the soft sands of the beaches in Camps Bay. Be sure to visit the historic towns of the nearby Winelands for local art, delicious food and wine, and stunning views.
Nestled in a fertile valley surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is an elegant heritage village located approximately 75 kilometres east of Cape Town. Known as South Africa’s food and wine capital, it combines a rich French Huguenot heritage with a relaxed countryside atmosphere. Visitors can explore acclaimed estates producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and exceptional Cap Classique sparkling wines, often travelling between vineyards aboard the popular wine tram. Tree-lined streets, historic Cape Dutch architecture, and boutique galleries add to the village’s charm. Summer brings opportunities for hiking and cycling through lush farmland, while winter invites cosy cellar tastings and the acclaimed annual literary festival. The scent of vineyards carried on the breeze, paired with sweeping views of green valleys and dramatic mountain backdrops, creates a refined yet welcoming year-round destination for food, wine, and culture enthusiasts.
Sharing an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park, Ngala Private Game Reserve is an exquisite wildlife sanctuary that offers an intimate game-viewing experience. Visitors can encounter magnificent creatures such as elephants, leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, large buffalo herds, and white rhinos. Expert ranger and tracker teams lead thrilling game drives, employing sensitive off-roading practices that ensure up-close encounters with the mesmerising wildlife. For a more immersive experience, walking safaris and bush walks are also offered, allowing visitors to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem. To complete the adventure, Ngala provides luxurious lodges that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering a tranquil and comfortable retreat after exciting days spent in the heart of the African wilderness.
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve offers what some would say is the best game viewing experience in South Africa. It is part of the Greater Kruger National Park, an enormous area, including Kruger, without any fences, allowing wildlife to move freely. But unlike Kruger, which allows self-drive safaris, it is a private reserve – you can’t drive around on your own. Safaris are led by highly-trained guides – perhaps the quintessential advantage of staying here. You aren’t just looking at animals and taking photos, you are learning about their behavior, adaptations, conservation efforts, etc. They also know how to find wildlife, often tracking paw prints, droppings, and animal trails on foot, and are also allowed to drive off road, which is prohibited in Kruger, following game into the bush instead of being confined to what you can see from a distance.
The second-biggest island in the idyllic Bazaruto archipelago, Benguerra is a tropical paradise of long, palm-lined white beaches, verdant rainforest and temperate turquoise seas permeated with coral reefs. Benguerra was designated a national park in 1971 and wildlife thrives in this unspoilt environment, including freshwater crocodiles, turtles, monkeys, buck and over 150 avian species. The surrounding ocean is permeated with exquisite coral reefs, home to a kaleidoscopic variety of vividly coloured tropical fish and offering some of the most spectacular snorkelling and diving on the planet. These pristine waters are even frequented by the rare dugong, an ancient sea creature that currently exists in only a few locations in the world.
