Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
Marking the threshold of one of South Africa’s premier safari and adventure regions, Hoedspruit rests at the foot of the Klein Drakensberg in Limpopo Province. Here, the tar road gives way to open bushveld, as the nearby Kruger National Park supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and several antelope species. Contributing to the area's wildlife attractions, the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre provides treatment and care for a wide range of species while promoting conservation awareness. Hoedspruit is also well positioned as a gateway to the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives, with highlights that include the dramatic viewpoints of the Blyde River Canyon and the waterfalls of Lisbon and Berlin Falls, all set within a striking Lowveld landscape.
Located in South Africa’s North West Province, close to the border with Botswana, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the country’s largest wildlife reserves and a renowned malaria-free safari destination. Set within a landscape of open grasslands, rocky hills and acacia-dotted bushveld, it offers a quieter and more exclusive atmosphere than some of South Africa’s better-known parks. Guided game drives offer opportunities to spot the Big Five, as well as endangered African wild dogs, cheetahs, and rare species such as the brown hyena. Early mornings bring crisp air and the distant calls of wildlife, while golden afternoon light transforms the savannah. As sightings can never be guaranteed, patience is part of the experience, but Madikwe’s diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife make every safari memorable.
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.
