South Africa

Cape Town

South Africa’s “Mother City” is indescribably beautiful, steeped in fascinating history and pulsating to a heady African rhythm. Indeed, few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the mountainous Cape Peninsula spine, which slides into the Atlantic Ocean. A ride in a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, a ferry journey to Robben Island, or a meandering tour through the Winelands will leave you in no doubt that this place is an absolute highlight on any vacation to Africa. South Africa boasts incredibly good weather, gorgeous scenery and fantastic beaches and is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture offer visitors a unique and inspiring experience.

Cape Winelands

Whether you take a day trip or stretch your time to a few days beyond Cape Town’s boundaries, you’ll be spoiled for choice with whales, wine and wonderful scenery. Head up the West Coast for the striking landscapes, white-washed fishing villages, seafood fresh from the icy Atlantic and during the spring months of August and September, fields of flowers are hidden in valleys and tucked around corners, waiting to surprise you. Head inland from Cape Town and in less than an hour you are in the middle of the Winelands. Experience the rich historical and cultural heritage while visiting quaint villages, vibrant townships, museums and galleries.

Garden Route

The Garden Route, a beautiful area between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, is renowned for its pristine beaches, indigenous forests and nature reserves. This coastal drive links a series of charming towns and villages which offer quaint restaurants, interesting locals and the sparkling Indian Ocean. From ostrich country in Oudtshoorn and lush indigenous forest in Tsitsikamma National Park, to Knysna, the pearl of the Garden Route, this coastal route blends pristine beauty with plenty of ways to make the most of the great outdoors.

The Garden Route's stunning scenery and Mediterranean maritime climate are ideal for outdoor activities. Along the way, almost every kind of adventure activity is possible; scuba diving, abseiling, dolphin cruises and elephant encounters to name a few. Golfers will love the championship courses including Gary Player’s famous Links Course at Fancourt, or the Pezula Golf Course. Families will enjoy the many great child friendly activities as well, such as visiting the monkeys at Monkeyland or gliding fearlessly in the treetops with Storms River Adventures.

Greater Kruger Area

South Africa’s world-renowned Greater Kruger Area is home to “the big five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino). Located on the western boundary adjacent to the central section of Kruger National Park, the unfenced private reserves of the Greater Kruger covers an area of 180 000 hectares which is dedicated to conservation and comprises over twenty game parks, such as Kapama, Timbavati, Thornybush and Sabi Sands. This is safari country with outstanding viewing opportunities and spectacular scenery!

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the economic heart of South Africa, the central focus of Egoli ('Place of Gold'), as the Sotho name for Gauteng suggests. The largest and richest city in South Africa, Johannesburg's lifestyle is a fast-paced and hectic one. No-one could have imagined the repercussions when an unemployed miner found a stone bearing traces of gold here in 1886, an event that led to the discovery of the world's richest natural treasure trove. 

People flocked to the Johannesburg area from all ends of the earth, and the open pastoral landscape changed almost overnight. Shantytowns sprang up and were rapidly transformed into modern concrete cities. Johannesburg became 'The Gold Capital of the World', and the entire country was catapulted into an economic boom.  Today the shantytown remains, a vast and sprawling tin-roofed expanse that houses millions of extremely poor blacks. Astonishingly, the opulent and luxurious mansions of the rich are located less than a mile distant, behind high walls and razor wire. 

Despite its sociological problems, which intimidate many people away from exploring Johannesburg, the city is not to be written off as tourist destination. For those interested in South Africa's history and culture, Johannesburg offers fascinating museums. A thriving café culture and a thrumming nightlife exist in many of Johannesburg's suburbs. The townships are also interesting to tour.

Pretoria

South Africa’s administrative capital to the north, Pretoria is famed for its grand architectural masterpieces, countless museums and thousands of magnificent Jacaranda trees.

Sun City

Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort. Approximately two hours drive northwest of Johannesburg and set within untamed bush, Sun City is a glitzy Vegas-style entertainment Mecca made up of casinos, cinemas, theaters, restaurants, two world-class golf courses, man-made jungles, lakes and beaches. Here, one can balloon over the majestic African terrain, and go game viewing from atop an elephant. The nearby malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park also plays host to “the Big Five” and features an abundance of birdlife. 

A variety of sports activities may be enjoyed at Sun City. Year round good weather in this part of South Africa ensures that tennis, squash, swimming, golf, mountain biking, horse riding, and parasailing are all on offer throughout the year. Sun City has laid out spectacular jogging trails. Sun City's Gym and Health spa keep you perfectly toned, and a beauty treatment is the perfect way to wind down after a workout. A wide range of water sports including water-skiing, parasailing and sunset cruises can be enjoyed at the resort's Waterworld. The Sun City Resort proudly boasts two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses. 

Visitors can find the latest in entertainment and gaming in the Entertainment Center, plus a wide range of fast food outlets, restaurants and children's facilities. These range from a variety of restaurants, a kiddies games arcade, to Slots floors and the Superbowl which boasts performances by world famous artists. A large, scenic crocodile sanctuary situated at the entrance of Sun City and is home to over 7,000 crocs including the two largest captive Nile crocodiles in the world. 
From sizzling entertainment, to one of the world's most exciting water parks, to a world-class casino, the Sun City rhythm beats its own drum.

Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve

Tswalu offers a true wilderness experience on the southernmost edge of the Kalahari in the Northern Cape with access to the largest privately own protected area in South Africa. From the landmark Korannaberg mountains to the southern Kalahari’s typical arid savannah and iconic ochre dunes rippling away to the horizon. Tswalu’s sustainable conservation journey to restore the Kalahari is supported by a high-value, low-impact ecotourism model of nature-based tourism with community and culture at its core. Staying in one of the small, luxury safari camps contributes to the sustainability of the entire reserve as well as the Tswalu Foundation, which is dedicated to scientific research.  A diverse range of wildlife is protected in South Africa’s largest private game reserve, including many rare and critically endangered species and five of the most elusive species in Africa. There are 85 mammals and 264 bird species at Tswalu, and many reptiles, insects and butterflies, offering opportunities for extraordinary sightings and encounters while on safari. Many of the animals on the reserve are dry savanna specialists, well adapted to the harsh conditions of the savanna biome with its extreme temperatures and scarcity of water in the winter months. Oryx, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, warthog and ostrich are common sightings as you navigate along the dune roads in search of Kalahari black-maned lion, desert black rhino and African wild dog. Tswalu is also one of the only places in South Africa to experience habituated meerkats up close.