South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

The Rainbow Nation

BECKONS

It’s known as the world in one country, thanks to its diversity of landscapes, people and cultures and is one of the biggest safari destinations in Africa – welcome to South Africa – a land of smiles, warm welcomes, vibrant cities and outstanding natural beauty. 


To say South Africa has it all would be an understatement. From the stunning “Mother City” of Cape Town with its iconic backdrop of Table Mountain to the pristine wilderness of the Greater Kruger National Park, home of the Big Five – leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo – this country begs to be explored.


Its coastline is dotted with some of the continent's finest beaches with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping its eastern seaboard from the border of Mozambique southwards, before meeting and blending with the cool Atlantic at Cape Aghullas – the southern-most tip of the African continent. The country's wilderness areas are just as impressive, from the vast, arid landscapes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to the open grasslands and bushveld of the Kruger National Park.


With 11 official languages, and a diversity of fascinating and colorful tribal cultures, South Africa’s history is mesmerizing. So where do you start when exploring a country as large and diverse as South Africa? Let’s look at a selection of “absolute musts” when planning a safari to this wonderful “Rainbow Nation”…

The Rainbow Nation

BECKONS

It’s known as the world in one country, thanks to its diversity of landscapes, people and cultures and is one of the biggest safari destinations in Africa – welcome to South Africa – a land of smiles, warm welcomes, vibrant cities and outstanding natural beauty. 


To say South Africa has it all would be an understatement. From the stunning “Mother City” of Cape Town with its iconic backdrop of Table Mountain to the pristine wilderness of the Greater Kruger National Park, home of the Big Five – leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo – this country begs to be explored.


Its coastline is dotted with some of the continent's finest beaches with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping its eastern seaboard from the border of Mozambique southwards, before meeting and blending with the cool Atlantic at Cape Aghullas – the southern-most tip of the African continent. The country's wilderness areas are just as impressive, from the vast, arid landscapes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to the open grasslands and bushveld of the Kruger National Park.


With 11 official languages, and a diversity of fascinating and colorful tribal cultures, South Africa’s history is mesmerizing. So where do you start when exploring a country as large and diverse as South Africa? Let’s look at a selection of “absolute musts” when planning a safari to this wonderful “Rainbow Nation”…

SOUTH AFRICA'S HOTSPOTS

Cape Town


It began as a trading post for the Dutch East India Company in the mid 1600s and is now recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world… Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa’s “Mother City” where its modern history began and undoubtedly one of its top tourism destinations.


There’s no missing Cape Town thanks to its imposing, impressive and downright beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain. No visit to the city is complete without a trip to its trademark flat peak via one of the most impressive and breathtaking cableways in the world.


The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is home to vibrant restaurants, lively bars, pubs and coffee shops and excellent shopping opportunities, and is also the departure point of cruises to Robben Island and water taxis that take you to different parts of this harbour-facing development.


Explore on two feet, in a motorcycle sidecar, helicopter, parasail or microlight… Whichever way you choose, Cape Town is pure South African magic.

Greater Kruger National Park


One of the oldest and largest national parks in Africa, the Kruger National Park is renowned the world over for its amazing wildlife and jaw-dropping landscapes. It forms a natural border to the east with neighboring Mozambique and in the north with Zimbabwe and is only just smaller than the country of Belgium!


The park itself is bordered on the South African side by some of the world’s most famous private game reserves like the Sabi Sand and Timbavati which together form the Greater Kruger – a vast unfenced swathe of land that has created a massive corridor for the free movement of wildlife species that makes this region one of the most game-rich in the whole of Africa.


This is the home of Africa’s last great population of white rhino, huge herds of elephant and buffalo (especially in the north of the region) and predators aplenty. Stretching from the Crocodile River in the south to the Limpopo River in the north, the Kruger’s landscapes are as diverse as its wildlife, featuring heavily forested river banks along perennial and seasonal rivers, wide-open grassy plains, mountain thickets, gently undulating hills and dramatic gorges and outcrops. 


No visit to South Africa is complete without it!

The Garden Route


This is one of South Africa’s most popular – and scenically beautiful – tourism routes, and while it officially stretches along the east coast of the country from Mossel Bay in the south to the Storms River in the north, the journey to explore the Garden route effectively starts north of Cape Town in Hermanus – Africa’s whale-watching capital. 


It’s along this coast, between June and December each year, that southern right whales come to calf in the calm waters of the various bays and coves that interrupt what is one of the most naturally beautiful shorelines in the world. 


The route takes in some of the most celebrated coastal towns in Africa, from Knysna and George to Plettenberg Bay, St Francis Bay and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and is easily explored by car, making it perfect for both tours and self-drive options.


Adventure lovers are also in for a treat with one of the world’s highest bungee jumps off the Storms River Bridge, along with white water rafting and cage diving to see great white sharks. The hiking along the Garden Route is also phenomenal, especially through the Tsitsikamma National Park. 

KwaZulu-Natal


Welcome to the homeland of the Zulu nation, with its rich cultural history stretching back millennia and some of the most impressive landscapes in South Africa, including a spectacular Indian Ocean coastline that stretches from Port Edward in the south to the Mozambican border in the north. 


One of South Africa’s nine provinces, KwaZulu-Natal – or KZN for short – is home to breathtaking mountains, undulating hills, dramatic valleys, historic battlefields, amazing wildlife and its own UNESCO World Heritage Site – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 


It’s also the traditional home of the Zulu people – renowned the world over for their fearsome warriors and fascinating heritage that’s inspired Hollywood and authors alike. Known for their basket weaving, vibrant dancing and belief in “ubuntu” – the ethos of “humanity” that translates into “I am because we are” – the Zulu people have a proud heritage and are known for their warm hospitality.


There’s so much to see in KZN and it's more than worthy of inclusion on a South African safari.

SOUTH AFRICA'S HOTSPOTS

Cape Town


It began as a trading post for the Dutch East India Company in the mid 1600s and is now recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world… Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa’s “Mother City” where its modern history began and undoubtedly one of its top tourism destinations.



There’s no missing Cape Town thanks to its imposing, impressive and downright beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain. No visit to the city is complete without a trip to its trademark flat peak via one of the most impressive and breathtaking cableways in the world. 


The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is home to vibrant restaurants, lively bars, pubs and coffee shops and excellent shopping opportunities, and is also the departure point of cruises to Robben Island and water taxis that take you to different parts of this harbour-facing development. 


Explore on two feet, in a motorcycle sidecar, helicopter, parasail or microlight… Whichever way you choose, Cape Town is pure South African magic.

Greater Kruger National Park


One of the oldest and largest national parks in Africa, the Kruger National Park is renowned the world over for its amazing wildlife and jaw-dropping landscapes. It forms a natural border to the east with neighboring Mozambique and in the north with Zimbabwe and is only just smaller than the country of Belgium!



The park itself is bordered on the South African side by some of the world’s most famous private game reserves like the Sabi Sand and Timbavati which together form the Greater Kruger – a vast unfenced swathe of land that has created a massive corridor for the free movement of wildlife species that makes this region one of the most game-rich in the whole of Africa.


This is the home of Africa’s last great population of white rhino, huge herds of elephant and buffalo (especially in the north of the region) and predators aplenty. Stretching from the Crocodile River in the south to the Limpopo River in the north, the Kruger’s landscapes are as diverse as its wildlife, featuring heavily forested river banks along perennial and seasonal rivers, wide-open grassy plains, mountain thickets, gently undulating hills and dramatic gorges and outcrops. 


No visit to South Africa is complete without it!

The Garden Route


This is one of South Africa’s most popular – and scenically beautiful – tourism routes, and while it officially stretches along the east coast of the country from Mossel Bay in the south to the Storms River in the north, the journey to explore the Garden route effectively starts north of Cape Town in Hermanus – Africa’s whale-watching capital. 


It’s along this coast, between June and December each year, that southern right whales come to calf in the calm waters of the various bays and coves that interrupt what is one of the most naturally beautiful shorelines in the world. 


The route takes in some of the most celebrated coastal towns in Africa, from Knysna and George to Plettenberg Bay, St Francis Bay and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and is easily explored by car, making it perfect for both tours and self-drive options.


Adventure lovers are also in for a treat with one of the world’s highest bungee jumps off the Storms River Bridge, along with white water rafting and cage diving to see great white sharks. The hiking along the Garden Route is also phenomenal, especially through the Tsitsikamma National Park. 

KwaZulu-Natal


Welcome to the homeland of the Zulu nation, with its rich cultural history stretching back millennia and some of the most impressive landscapes in South Africa, including a spectacular Indian Ocean coastline that stretches from Port Edward in the south to the Mozambican border in the north. 


One of South Africa’s nine provinces, KwaZulu-Natal – or KZN for short – is home to breathtaking mountains, undulating hills, dramatic valleys, historic battlefields, amazing wildlife and its own UNESCO World Heritage Site – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 


It’s also the traditional home of the Zulu people – renowned the world over for their fearsome warriors and fascinating heritage that’s inspired Hollywood and authors alike. Known for their basket weaving, vibrant dancing and belief in “ubuntu” – the ethos of “humanity” that translates into “I am because we are” – the Zulu people have a proud heritage and are known for their warm hospitality.


There’s so much to see in KZN and it's more than worthy of inclusion on a South African safari.

SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

When visiting South Africa it’s important to understand that you’re not going to see it all on one safari! It’s just too big and there’s too much to include! It’s ideal as a single-country safari, including some of the wonderful attractions and destinations in one, wonderfully diverse itinerary. So please click the button below to see some of the great packages we’ve put together in South Africa and let’s talk about getting you to the Rainbow Nation!

FIND OUT MORE
SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

When visiting South Africa it’s important to understand that you’re not going to see it all on one safari! It’s just too big and there’s too much to include! It’s ideal as a single-country safari, including some of the wonderful attractions and destinations in one, wonderfully diverse itinerary. So please click the button below to see some of the great packages we’ve put together in South Africa and let’s talk about getting you to the Rainbow Nation!

FIND OUT MORE