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.
Set in the wide, arid landscapes of the Karoo along South Africa’s historic railway line, Matjiesfontein is a remarkably preserved Victorian village with a quiet, time-capsule atmosphere. Once a fashionable spa stop in the late 1800s, it now draws visitors with its heritage buildings, old-world charm and sense of isolation beneath vast open skies. Travellers can explore the village museum, ride in a vintage London bus or spend the night in the grand Lord Milner Hotel, where creaking wooden floors and antique décor recall another era. The desert air, distant train whistles and golden evening light create a distinctly nostalgic mood. Although small and slower paced than larger destinations, Matjiesfontein offers a memorable glimpse into South Africa’s colonial and railway history.
Synonymous with the birth of the international diamond trade, Kimberley lies in South Africa’s Northern Cape on flat, semi-arid plains marked by old mine workings and sparse scrubland. Its historic core is defined by early diamond excavations, most notably the Big Hole and surrounding mine buildings that preserve the memory of the late nineteenth-century rush. A street tram links the Kimberley Mine Museum with restored mining precincts, where reconstructed streets and preserved machinery recreate aspects of the working settlement. The McGregor Museum and nearby Anglo-Boer War sites record the Siege of Kimberley, with former defensive positions mapped around the town. Rail lines and highways connect Kimberley to Johannesburg and Cape Town, crossing open terrain dotted with farm settlements and dry vegetation, while walking routes lead through former diggings, railway yards, Victorian-era streets, and key battle sites that fringe the city.
The cosmopolitan city of Pretoria, also known as ‘Tshwane’, is situated in the province of Gauteng and functions as one of three capitals of South Africa. Pretoria has been dubbed ‘The Jacaranda City’, which is owed to the annual bloom of magnificent purple blossom trees that adorn the wide avenues of the city. Discover several historic monuments, fine government buildings, and fascinating museums, and explore several interesting cultural sites. The Transvaal Museum is a natural history museum showcasing an ancient dinosaur fossil found at the nearby Cradle of Humankind; the Pretoria Botanical Gardens offers visitors a glimpse of different biomes, and the Voortrekker Monument is a famous National Heritage Site. Don’t miss the nearby Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary as well as the beautiful Wonderboom and Groenkloof Nature Reserves.
