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.
The world-famous Pilanesberg Game Reserve is situated in South Africa’s North West Province, north of Rustenburg. Set inside an alkaline volcanic crater (one of three in the world), characterised by vast ridges, the park’s fascinating rock and history attracts geologists and photographers from all over the world. Pilanesberg is also known for its mammoth achievement of re-introducing numerous long-vanished species and is home to roughly 360 bird species. It is a beautiful place in which to catch sight of the ‘Big Five’ as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, crocodile, and many other animals. Around 360 bird species also inhabit the park. An array of activities are on offer, including guided walks, game drives, and hot-air balloon rides. It is also possible to watch traditional tribal dance performances, participate in music workshops, and enjoy luxury spa experiences.
Located on South Africa’s Highveld plateau, Johannesburg is a fast-paced, creative city shaped by gold-rush history, cultural diversity and constant reinvention. Its atmosphere is energetic and urban, with contemporary galleries, rooftop bars and leafy suburbs existing alongside powerful reminders of the country’s past. Visitors can explore the Apartheid Museum, tour Soweto’s historic streets or browse vibrant markets and design spaces in neighbourhoods such as Maboneng. The city’s soundtrack shifts from lively jazz and amapiano beats to the hum of busy streets, while the scent of grilled street food drifts through open-air cafés and market stalls. Johannesburg rewards travellers who engage with its complexity and culture, though its size, traffic and contrasts mean it is best experienced with some planning and local insight.
Situated on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border along the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is experienced from the Zambian side within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where walkways trace the cliff edge above a vast basalt gorge. Knife Edge Bridge pushes visitors into the spray line for a close view of the Main Falls, a continuous curtain of water, and the Eastern Cataract, where the flow breaks into narrower channels across the far side. Rainbow Falls, the highest section of the cascade, often reveals shifting arcs of colour in fine mist when light breaks through the spray. The Boiling Pot viewpoint looks directly into a deep whirlpool where the river is forced into the Batoka Gorge. Upstream, boat access reaches Livingstone Island, a rocky outcrop on the lip of the falls, and the seasonal Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool at the edge of Victoria Falls that becomes safely accessible during low water when river levels drop and currents weaken. Activities extend beyond the rim, including white-water rafting through gorge rapids, kayaking, ziplining across the chasm, bungee jumping from the bridge, bridge swings, sunset cruises, game viewing along the riverbanks, and visits to the local market.
