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.
Dotting the South Atlantic between Africa and South America, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories consisting of the Saint Helena Island, Ascension Island and the Tristan da Cunha archipelago including Gough Island. These remote islands are set rather far from each other, but belong under one single territorial group and have a rich military history owing to their strategic positioning. The best known of the islands, St Helena, once home to the exiled French Emperor Napolean Bonaparte, features beautiful landscapes and world-class opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. To the north, Ascension Island boasts magnificent volcanic landscapes and top-notch diving, and to the south, Tristan da Cunha forms part of the most isolated inhabited archipelago in the world, featuring Queen Mary’s Peak Volcano.
