.png){kind=small}
Savour the unparalleled beauty and diversity of
Exciting and enigmatic, few countries can match South Africa for sheer diversity.
Situated at the tip of Africa, the beauty of South Africa is witnessed through the smiles of friendly faces, the mosaic of cultures and cuisines, and the complex history that has shaped it. It is the natural splendor of this country that sets it apart.
South Africa's landscapes are made up of valleys, mountains, forests, deserts, coastlines, and grassy savannas that are breath-taking. It is blessed to have an envious climate, a unique mix of beautiful landscapes, extraordinary fusion of modern development, vibrant culture and incredible wildlife.
Cape Town, often referred to as the Mother City, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain, Cape Town combines beaches, harbours and botanical gardens within a breathtaking setting. Proudly multicultural, its flourishing arts, dining, and nightlife scenes are proof of this modern metropolis' creativity and innovative spirit. With a distinct flavour of its own, the inner city is an eclectic mix of architectural styles that combine the past with the present in a mishmash of high-rise office blocks, Edwardian and Victorian buildings and narrow, cobblestone streets that give rise to fine examples of Cape Dutch design.
Get a quote
The little town of Franschhoek , set against a backdrop of orchards, vineyards and mountain peaks, is arguably the prettiest of the Cape Winelands regions.
The appearance and atmosphere is that of Provence, and the French Huguenot influence is further reflected in the names of the surrounding wine estates and the number of excellent restaurants.
Known as the gourmet capital of South Africa, Franschhoek is a top choice for a food and wine holiday, ranging from traditional Cape fare to French haute cuisine. In the village you will find wonderful crafts, art and antique shops and galleries. To this day, the village has kept a certain boho French chic.
Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands region is the second oldest town in South Africa and is known for its natural beauty and oak-lined avenues, Cape Dutch architecture, history and culture and of course it's wine routes.
It is also home to many of the Western Cape’s top restaurants, many of which are on a wine estate.
Stellies, as it’s affectionately known, is a university town, so despite its heritage it retains a youthful vibe which adds to the charm of the town.
Situated in the heart of the Cape Whale Route, the once-humble fishing village of Hermanus has developed into a world-famous tourist destination, yet retaining the rustic charm and natural beauty that made it such a sought-after destination. Stretched along a narrow ribbon of land between towering mountains and a spectacular shoreline, Hermanus is surrounded by nature in her grandest style.Hermanus has something for everyone, from whale watching, to beautiful nature reserves, pristine beaches and a hidden valley so beautiful it’s named “Hemel en Aarde” (Heaven and Earth). The picturesque “Hemel en Aarde” Valley boasts over 15 renowned wine farms stretching along the entirety of the Valley. Over the past few years it has become recognised as a destination for wine and food enthusiasts, especially of Burgundy-style pinot noirs and chardonnays.
Get a quoteThe Garden Route is a trendy coastal drive linking charming towns and natural beauty. Knysna offers lush forests, tranquil lakes, golden beaches and oyster farming. Plettenberg Bay offers outdoor experiences, marine safaris, shopping and wine tasting. Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich capital of the world", boasts the Cango Caves and the Swartberg mountain range. These contrasting attractions make the Garden Route a perfect destination to explore for a few days, with many nearby highlights like Wilderness and Tsitsikamma.
Get a quote
The West Coast is a hidden gem with amazing hikes, azure waters and Khoisan culture.
Paternoster is a small and picturesque fishing village that epitomizes the authentic West Coast lifestyle. Fishermen still use traditional wooden boats, and visitors can buy fresh catch from the market or directly from the boats. Paternoster is also home to talented local artists and excellent restaurants, some right on the beach.
The West Coast is perfect for a road trip and offers a quintessential ‘road less travelled’ experience linking South Africa to Namibia.
Rugged raw beauty, the beautiful Cederberg, named after the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar - a tree endemic to the area - is virtually synonymous with a series of impressive rock formations, untouched wilderness and remote beauty. There are fine examples of San rock art in caves and overhangs throughout the area.
The Cederberg has an exceptional botanical diversity, being part of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa, and among the twisted rock formations, farmers cultivate the world-famous healthy rooibos tea, found only in the Cederberg of South Africa. Surprisingly, the rugged mountains of the Cederberg may seem an unlikely place to discover lush vineyards, but this unique high-altitude terroir is home to a handful of pioneering wine farms earning a global reputation for producing world-class wines.
.jpg)
The Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, as its name suggests, is one of South Africa’s least spoiled areas stretching from just beyond East London to Port Edward. In between are a series of remote, wild, ragged cliff-lined beaches, valleys, coastal forests, seaside villages and great expanses of undeveloped wilderness. It’s also the homeland of Nelson Mandela who was born in the village of Mvezo on the Mbashe River. The Wild Coast is about hours spent on beaches, ambles along white sand, meeting cows at river mouths, Xhosa huts, coffee out of tin mugs, pot-holed dirt roads, cliff hikes, river canoeing, horseback rides and surfing.
Get a quoteRough and ready, smart and sophisticated, rural and rustic: there’s no doubt that KwaZulu-Natal is eclectic. Underpinning every experience in KwaZulu-Natal is traditional Zulu culture. Zulu homesteads bring this to life. You’ll be welcomed into the community’s beehive huts and rondavels – round thatched cottages – whose people are fiercely proud of their culture, their Zulu values and customs. Cosmopolitan Durban is an Indian-influenced harbor city and a popular surfing spot and is home to the largest population of Indians outside the Indian continent.
Get a quote
.jpg)
Known as uKhahlamba, the ‘barrier of spears’, in Zulu, the dramatic rocky peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains offer sublime vistas, an abundance of San rock art and excellent walking routes. The Drakensberg is littered with exquisite hiking trails that give you a breathtaking dose of both natural mountain beauty and brilliant wildlife. From forest meanders to chain ladders anchored to steep buttresses, there are hikes that will appeal to the beginner, expert, and everyone in between. The amphitheatre of the Drakensberg, a monolithic wall of mountain that forms one of the most extraordinary cliff faces on earth; a flat wall-like plateau that extends for 5 km and looms over the Drakensberg, is one of the country’s most recognizable features.
Get a quoteBlyde River Canyon is both one of the world's largest canyons (3th largest) and one of South Africa’s most outstanding natural sights. The canyon's scale and beauty make a trip here a memorable experience, especially if you're lucky enough to visit on a fine day. Epic rock formations tower above the forested slopes and eagle-eye views abound at the dramatic meeting of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the lowveld. The Blyde River Canyon Reserve includes natural wonders such as the Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and God's Window. Many visitors to this region enjoy the visual splendour of combining the Panorama Route with exceptional game viewing in the Kruger National Park to create a spectacular itinerary in Mpumalanga.
Get a quote
Route 62 is modeled after the iconic US Route 66, made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole in the song of the mid 20th century. Travelers headed for the Garden Route will find that Route 62 offers a more scenic and slightly shorter alternative to the dull N2 highway between Cape Town and George. The road follows winding and spectacular mountain passes that slowly unfold before your eyes, leading to lush green valleys hosting crystal streams and framed by the distorted geological shapes and colours of rock faces dating from hundreds of millions of years ago.
Most striking about the R62 is the unbeatable scenery. This unique part of South Africa is characterised by red soil, stark cliff faces, rivers, orchards, and indigenous scrub. Fynbos, including the beautiful Protea, swirl gently as cars rush by on the highway, generously letting every passer-by experience their splendour.
South Africa houses 21 national parks, together covering 4,000,000 hectares or over 3% of the country’s total area, some of them are of the best national parks in the whole of Africa. With such a plentitude of choice , here are some of the most beautiful National Parks in South Africa.
Private game reserves in South Africa offer exclusive safari lodges and excellent game viewing with the opportunity to get closer to animals as off-road driving is allowed. The Greater Kruger Park area is a vast wildlife reserve with private reserves and the Kruger National Park, offering superb Big Five viewing and regular sightings of big cats.
Luxurious bush-style accommodation is offered with world-class wining and dining, often served under the stars.
Here is our guide to the top private game reserves in South Africa.
South Africa is unique in Africa in offering several malaria free game reserves. These are ideal if you have young children or you cannot take anti-malaria medication. The great news is that these reserves offer brilliant wildlife viewing and outstanding safari experiences, so you won’t need to compromise on quality to ensure a malaria-free trip.
There are three main malaria free areas with game reserves in South Africa: Madikwe Game Reserve, the Waterberg and the Eastern Cape which all offer "Big Five" game-viewing, as well as plenty of other game. But there are also several smaller reserves, or more far-flung options which you may not have heard of.
Here are some stunning malaria-free safari destinations in South Africa:
.jpg)
