South Africa - A continent in one country

It’s impossible to see it all in South Africa, regardless of how long you visit. The variety of natural landscapes, scenic splendour, heritage horizons and cultural kaleidoscopes is staggering. If a complete travel experience requires ten boxes to be ticked, South Africa ticks eleven. As we are limited for words, this is a challenging mission to describe South Africa in one article. But here goes.

Tip of the continent: Starting point Cape Town

Let’s start in Cape Town, the Mother City, recognised as one of the most beautiful metropolitan areas in the world. From the beautiful Cape of Good Hope and Atlantic seaboard on your doorstep, to Table Mountain and the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the most diverse regions of plant-life on earth out the back door, there is much to see.

From the Dolphin Coast to Drakensberg

Follow the coastline up north, detouring inland for a while in the finest wine country in the world. Continue past legendary forests and mysterious elephants toward the dramatic, rugged and wild coastline, until the waters warm and beaches white; this is the dolphin coast, typical of its name.

The great plains of the interior, lipped by dramatic vistas of snow-covered mountain passes, with unique birdlife and quaint country districts are a traveller’s dream. This is the Drakensberg (or ‘dragon mountains’) escarpment, a vast watershed, site of numerous dinosaur footprints and one of the principle geological features of South Africa.

Johannesburg and its cultural highlights

As far as history and culture goes, then the plateau of the ‘highveld’ with the Johannesburg greater metropolitan area may be your thing. The wealth was built on the richest gold mines on earth, and this region is still the commercial hub of SA. Museums and cultural city tours mostly contemplate the era of the fall of Apartheid, the passing of South Africa’s least memorable chapters. In doing so, this process is not complete without contemplating the story and life-force of the country's most famous citizen; Nelson Mandela, and the country’s endearing emergence under the great man’s inspired and unique leadership.

Kruger National Park and its neighbours

Venturing eastward, over the lip of the dramatic escarpments, you will find the ‘low-veld’, and a host of game reserves and safari options. All offering world class safari experiences. The world-famous Kruger National Park, perfect for self-drive holidays lies here, all within easy reach of Johannesburg by road. Keep drifting east and you eventually end up in the Indian Ocean, but not before enjoying the sublime tropical beachfronts of the Mozambican coastline.

South Africa’s incomparable wealth

In a nutshell that’s it. But this brief tour of Africa’s most diverse, vibrant, and travel-convenient country does not do it justice. There’s so much more on the menu; at the end of dirt roads lie incredible forests, deserts, waterfalls, endangered wildlife, gastronomic delights, cultural festivals, unique archaeology, music, San art, historical battlefields, and more.

All within reach and easily accessible travel gifts all wrapped in smiles, colour, and wonderful hospitality. Contact us for expert travel advice and suggestions.