South Africa Classic Sample

Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town draws visitors from all over the world. It is where the first European traders landed and interacted with the native Khoikhoi people and where the first colony was established, making it South Africa’s oldest city. Powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed vineyards, and beautiful mountain trails surround the now cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where critically endangered African penguins frolic; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and much more.

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.

An independently managed part of the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sands consists of a group of privately owned game reserves and takes its name from the Sabie River, which makes up its southern boundary, and the Sand River, which flows through it. It was the first private nature reserve established in South Africa, making it one of the oldest protected wildlife areas on the continent; it has a long tradition of ethical photographic safaris, which has led to animals (and predators in particular) being very relaxed in the presence of vehicles. The area is renowned for sightings of 'the Big 5' and for the regularity with which the normally shy leopard is seen. The landscape features 65,000 hectares (+160,000 acres) of savannah interspersed with watering holes, dry river beds, Lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabie and Sand Rivers.

One of South Africa’s oldest towns, Franschhoek lies about 50 miles east of Cape Town in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides. The town was established in the 17th century by French Huguenots and boasts fine examples of classic Cape Dutch architecture. It is now internationally recognized for its award-winning restaurants and vineyards, making it a captivating destination for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike.  Travellers could choose to focus their visit on any one aspect alone - nature, cuisine or culture - and find plenty to keep them busy. The estates here attract wine experts from around the globe with their Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Cap Classique sparkling wine (among others). Five-star restaurants alongside the cellars are surrounded by the same jaw-dropping valley scenes that have brought artists and writers to the area for centuries. The town’s Cape Dutch manor houses, fascinating museums, and charming boutiques make Franschhoek a wonderful place to visit in winter. Summer provides endless hiking, cycling and other outdoor opportunities among the lush farmlands and mountains.