Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city 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. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.
Synonymous with the birth of the international diamond trade, Kimberley is a picturesque little town with a big history. It was the first town to install electric street lights in the southern hemisphere and today it is the largest city and capital of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. Kimberly is renowned for the Big Hole, which is the largest man-made excavation in the world. Kimberley also featured prominently during the Anglo-Boer war when it was besieged by the Boers. Visitors can explore some of the most famous battle sites of the Anglo-Boer war fringing the town as well as soak up some impressive historical attractions scattered throughout the town.
Conveniently located only 70 kilometres southwest of the Northern Cape province’s capital of Kimberley, Mokala National Park is SANPark’s newest addition. This impressive 26,000 hectare expanse of wilderness features a spectacularly scenic landscape characterised by rolling hills and endless open plains. The park is home to an impressive array of wildlife species including: black and white rhinoceros, roan antelope, nyala, giraffe, bat-eared fox and tsessebe. Visitors can look forward to enjoying a variety of exhilarating outdoor activities such as guided game drives, horse riding excursions and mountain biking trips as well as relaxing picnics and bird watching at the Stofdam bird hide. Mokala is renowned for its bird watching as it is inhabited by over 140 species of bird including the crimson-breasted shrike and a variety of kingfishers.
The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest and least densely populated province, characterised by wide open spaces and mostly dry terrain, though the Orange River meandering along the northern border creates a compelling contrast to the arid desert landscape. It is home to several prominent national attractions, including the majestic Augrabies Falls, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and, in spring, the Namaqualand wildflowers. Visitors can also look forward to exploring the red dunes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, visit the Big Hole in Kimberley and adventure along the Orange River.
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Combining the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, the enthralling Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a wonderland of bright orange dunes, spectacular wildlife and fascinating flora. This hauntingly beautiful desert land is part of Africa’s first transfrontier park, ensuring that conservation is the top priority for this vast ecosystem and its inhabitants - it also supports and protects the indigenous people here, the ‡Khomani San and Mier communities. Visitors can look forward to spotting lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, blue wildebeest, springbok, eland, and more than 200 bird species, including migrating flamingos and pelicans, and numerous raptors. Some of the activities on offer include game drives, 4x4 excursions, hiking, swimming, eco trails, star-spotting and nature photography.
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Dissected by the mighty Orange River, the Green Kalahari is a lush oasis in the larger Kalahari Desert. The river brings welcome water to this semi-arid region creating fertile valleys covered in thriving farmlands. Visitors can enjoy some wonderful attractions including: the popular wine route, the mighty Augrabies Falls in the Augrabies Falls National Park, and the massive Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, home to an array of wildlife including springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, leopard, cheetah and lion. Explore the ruins of an ancient San village on the Bitterputs farm in the Verneuk Pan, discover numerous fascinating cave drawings and engravings and enjoy a variety adventure activities including: camel safaris, white water rafting, hiking, bird watching, camping, canoeing, mountain biking, and game drives.
Located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the Augrabies Falls National Park encircles the mighty Augrabies Falls. The Orange River plunges 60 metres and creates this cascading splendour which leads into the 18-kilometre ravine of the Orange River Gorge. The landscape of the park is characterised by rocky outcrops jutting from scrub-dotted plains scattered with clusters of kokerboom also known as quiver trees. This sanctuary provides a home for an array of wildlife such as springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer, various bird species and the endangered black rhino. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: giraffe, steenbok, kudu, eland, leopard, African wild cat, jackal, and caracal.
Stretching for over 1000 kilometres along South Africa’s scenic West Coast, the Namaqualand is known for its stark, arid beauty. Once a year in early Spring, the Namaqualand landscape explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour. The dusty plains are transformed into a blanket of thousands of flowering wildflowers. International and local visitors flock here to see this seasonal natural splendour. Aside from the endless photogenic landscapes, visitors can look forward to viewing a wide variety of wildlife and exploring the quaint seaside towns dotting the coast as well as the various historic towns scattered in the hinterland.
Rising from the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho, forming part of the international border between South Africa and Namibia, the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. The Orange River Basin extends into Namibia and northern Botswana. The river snakes its way through one of Southern Africa’s harshest environments bringing life to an area of sheer rugged beauty. Aside from vineyards in the desert the river also creates a mobile playground from which to explore the area. This spectacular river created the diamond dune fields along Namibia's coast, by washing diamonds downstream from the Kimberly region over millions of years. Visitors can look forward to excellent whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as wonderful river cruises which allow excellent views of the surroundings.
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The Cederberg is wild, rugged, dramatic and above all, breathtakingly beautiful. The region’s valleys are lined with citrus orchards and surrounded by magnificent mountains that become even more spectacular at sunset when they are bathed in an array of vivid colours. Hiking, bouldering and rock-climbing are popular pursuits in this beautiful natural wilderness, which also affords visitors opportunities to swim in crystal clear rock pools, discover ancient rock art, or marvel at the biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa.
Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, while others boast breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders. Cape Town is lucky enough to be blessed with all of these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit.
