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.
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. It is an economic powerhouse in Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. This bustling city offers a wide range of activities, attractions and plenty to do in and around the city including nearby Pretoria. Downtown is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. Soweto, a township steeped in history and a significant part of the Greater Johannesburg metropolitan area, is a popular tourist destination.
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
The Matopos Hills are rich in history dating back more than 300 000 years and in 2003 the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 3,000 registered San rock art sites are dotted across the area in caves and crevasses. In more recent times the hills were of great significance to the Ndebele people, their name meaning ‘Bald Heads” was given by their founder Mzilikazi. The Hills are the resting place of the country’s most famous colonial icons including Cecil Rhodes, Leander Starr Jameson and Allan Wilson and his ill fated Shangani Patrol.
Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve) is the largest natural reserve in the country and is famous for its rich diversity of wildlife. Home to one of the biggest elephant populations in the world, as well as around 100 mammal species, the park is popular among animal lovers. Several protected species inhabit the awe-inspiring open landscapes, including the endangered wild dog, critically endangered black rhino, and rare roan and sable - along with lion, cheetah, and around 500 bird species. Adventurers can look forward to guided bush hikes, game drives, and horse riding safaris, all of which offer excellent photographic opportunities.
In northwestern Zimbabwe, Matetsi Private Game Reserve beckons with an exceptional safari experience within a pristine wilderness with easy access to the majestic Victoria Falls. Divided into East and West sections, Matetsi boasts distinct charm. Travellers can enjoy exhilarating game drives, guided walks, and Zambezi River cruises, providing a chance to encounter a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and various bird species. Night drives give the opportunity to see a wide array of nocturnal species, including hyena, civet, serval and genets.
Located in northern Zimbabwe, the life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions. Characterised by a diversity of landscapes including floodplains, forests, and baobab trees, the park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty; providing a fantastic destination for photographers. It is an Important Bird Area and is also one of the continent’s premier game-viewing locations, known for its good chances of seeing elephants, wild dogs, lions, and leopards. Visitors can look forward to an array of activities such as canoe trips, guided walks, game drives, river cruises, nature walks, bird watching, and catch-and-release fishing.
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve (Malilangwe meaning ‘the call of the leopard’), is a breathtaking private reserve located in the beautiful southern reaches of Zimbabwe, bordering spectacular Gonarezhou National Park. This scenic corner of the world spans 40,000 hectares of diverse landscapes - sandstone outcrops, vast mopane woodlands, and majestic baobab trees. These provide habitats for a wide variety of wildlife (including high concentrations of endangered black rhino). Visitors can also look forward to spotting over 14 species of eagle, as well as giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope, hippo, crocodile, elephant, buffalo, terrapin, lion, hyena, and leopard. History lovers will enjoy exploring the impressive collection of ancient 2000-year-old rock art. Enjoy hiking, guided bush walks, excellent game drives, and superb fishing opportunities.
