This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of African, Asian and European cultures. Spend your days: discovering the gourmet restaurants, impressive art and nightlife scenes and fine beaches of Cape Town; enjoying a typical local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browsing the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sampling some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotted around the picturesque Cape Winelands. Due to its rich and turbulent history there are plenty of historical attractions to explore including the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, South Africa’s attraction lies in its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world famous Kruger National Park. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
Just north of Ballito on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Salt Rock offers a laid-back holiday atmosphere for beach lovers. Once the home of King Shaka Zulu, the riches of this destination now lie in its irresistible golden beaches, turquoise tidal pools, and warm Indian Ocean waves, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Besides swimming and sunbathing, visitors can also look forward to microlight flights, skydiving, fishing, diving, snorkelling, and excellent hikes along the coast, as well as leisurely walks along the wooden boardwalks next to the ocean for gorgeous views. The wonderful Litchi Orchard Market is a great place to sample delicious local fare and browse through superb arts and crafts.
St Lucia lies on the St Lucia estuary, and is a haven of tranquillity that only unspoilt nature can provide. Entirely surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, the residents of little village are protective of their beautiful environment. Mountain biking, hiking, bird watching and deep-sea fishing present opportunities to enjoy the surroundings. From the town, you can catch the Santa Lucia ferry and take a trip around the lower reaches of the lake where you can view water birds, crocodiles and hippos wallowing in the shallows.
Maputaland Marine Protected Area comprises three protected areas, Lake Sibaya Nature Reserve, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and Rocktail Bay. The reserve extends all the way from the northern Mozambican border to Sodwana Bay in the south. This gorgeous sub-tropical paradise includes immaculate forests and wetlands dotted with lakes and marshes as well as coral reefs and deserted beaches. The local wildlife includes numerous bird species, reptiles and freshwater fish, making this an ideal destination for nature-loving travellers.
Situated just north of Durban along South Africa's scenic coast, Kosi Bay lies only two kilometres from the Mozambique border. It encompasses a pristine system of four lakes that form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and eventually drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian Ocean. Beachgoers can enjoy a calm, quiet beach and a river mouth with exceptionally clear water, home to an abundance of fish species. Other faunas in the area include duikers, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, bull sharks, loggerheads, and leatherback sea turtles – which lay their eggs on the beach – and diverse birdlife. An interesting fact about Kosi Bay is that it is home to the Kosi Palm, which has the largest leaf of any plant in the floral kingdom.
The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is the jewel in the crown of the KwaZulu Natal game reserves. Proclaimed in 1895, it is also the oldest game reserve in Africa. Initially two separate reserves, they were joined to create a single 94 000 hectare reserve which is home to one-fifth of the world's black and white rhino population. It was here that the internationally acclaimed Operation Rhino started in the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park was the first reserve to introduce walking safaris and its Wilderness Trails are internationally renowned. Visitors can also look forward to visiting a traditional Zulu village, enjoying a horse riding safari, and spotting the world renowned Big Five as well as a wide variety of bird species.
