South Africa’s finest in 8 photos
There’s no doubt that a South Africa holiday offers the continent’s greatest diversity when planning a safari. You’ll find urban chic in Cape Town, but there is more than the bustling markets, great dining and refurbished waterfront to draw people here.
Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are well worth a look, and then there are sandy beaches, Cape Point Nature Reserve and the penguins at Boulders Bay all within easy reach of the city centre.
A pretty drive north-east will take you to the vineyards and lovely Winelands towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. They’re perfect for a day visit or a destination in their own right for those wanting to sample world renowned food and drink.
Most visitors will spend at least a few days on safari during a South Africa holiday. Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the reserves and parks here but tends to be easier in dryer conditions as animals are drawn to water and vegetation is less dense. With two distinct climatic zones, and national parks dotted around the country, there’s somewhere to enjoy good weather and superb wildlife sightings during both South Africa’s summer and winter months.
As an added bonus the wildlife areas in Madikwe and Kwandwe offer malaria-free safaris, making them ideal for those who’d prefer not to take anti-malaria medication.
Cities, Winelands and wildlife aside there’s even more to a holiday in South Africa with history brought to life in the atmospheric battlefield tours around Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana. For anyone with just a passing interest in history a visit to these historic sites, in the company of guides who describe the events with great passion, is a real treat.
A self-drive South Africa holiday is also an option. The roads are good and traffic is light outside the cities. Driving your own vehicle into the Kruger National Park is a great adventure for those who enjoy travelling independently. Combine a self-drive with some internal flights to cover the longer distances and you’ll get to see plenty of this dynamic country. If you don’t fancy the roads, then take to the rails. The famous luxury trains – The Blue Train and Rovos Rail – ply the route between Cape Town and Pretoria offering a glimpse of travel in days gone by as well as excellent sightseeing along the route. They differ in style so it’s well worth comparing the two before making a choice.
Of course there’s more; spring flowers in the Western Cape, the wonderful green Kalahari, seaside towns of the Garden Route, and whale watching are just a few of those I’ve not mentioned here. Living up to the moniker ‘A World In One Country’ isn’t easy, but South Africa really does deliver, with something for pretty much everyone; it’s a great first step into Africa as a holiday destination. Contact us to help you plan your South African holiday.
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