south africa
A world in one country
Location Highlights
Zululand – Nestled in the northeast corner of KwaZulu-Natal province, Zululand is a unique region that boasts of diverse landscapes and rich history. Travelers can experience the Big 8 in a day – a marriage of the Big 5 game drives and the best ocean experiences on the planet. The ocean here is a world-class destination for marine enthusiasts. On the other hand, traditional game drives offer a glimpse of the finest safari destinations in Africa!
Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands – South Africa’s most famous wilderness! Located in the northeastern part of the country, tourists from all over the world travel here. Larger than a small country, these reserves offer some of the highest predator density in the world, and Big Cat viewing like nowhere else! The lodges here offer unmatched luxury and comfort, while game drives give you the opportunity to spot the Big 5, wild dogs, and over 500 species of birds.
Drakensberg – This legendary mountain range sits in the eastern part of South Africa, along the border with Lesotho. With peaks that soar above 3000 meters, the Drakensberg range inspired J.R.R Tolkein’s “Lord of the Rings” and is perfect for adventure seekers (ride, run, hike, 4×4, climb)! The Drakensberg is also a great place to relax and unwind in nature’s lap.
Cape Town – The Mother City of South Africa, set under the world-famous Table Mountain, Cape Town is a vibrant and multicultural city that offers something for everyone. The city is rich in culture, diversity, world-class dining, beautiful hotels, the V&A waterfront, Robben Island, white sand beaches, Cape Point adventures, and exquisite winelands.
Kalahari – Located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, the Kalahari is a vast landscape unlike any other, with rolling red sand dunes, grassy plains, and sparse vegetation. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including large and little creatures that are rarely seen like aardvarks, meerkats, and black-maned lions. Travelers can explore this unique region on foot, on horseback, or in a 4×4 vehicle.
- KwaZulu-Natal Midlands – Situated in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal province, the Midlands is a must-visit food mecca, much like the English countryside. It is famous for its countless bespoke industries, beautiful spas, fantastic fishing, incredible landscape, and fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy farm-to-table dining, exploring nature reserves and visiting artisanal craft shops – the Midlands is a great destination for a laid-back holiday.
Garden Route – Stretching over 300 km along the country’s east coast, the Garden Route is one of the most scenic drives in the world. This spectacular region is home to quaint coastal towns, beaches, game reserves, adventures, nature getaways, and more. Travelers can enjoy whale watching, hiking, lush golf courses, surfing, bungee jumping, and exploring the indigenous forests and fynbos vegetation.
Karoo – The Karoo in South Africa is a vast semi-desert with rugged mountains, endless plains, and breathtaking beauty. It’s a paradise for adventurers with hiking, biking, and 4×4 safaris. The region is home to diverse wildlife, including springbok, kudu, ostriches, and birds. The Karoo’s clear skies make it one of the best stargazing spots globally. Historic towns, such as Graaff-Reinet and Prince Albert, showcase Victorian architecture and charm, and local artists creations can be admired.
Kwazulu-Natal & Zululand – A blend of culture, wildlife & beauty – KZN has an abundance of offers. Durban’s beaches, markets & diversity. Drakensberg Mountains – a hiker’s paradise. Zululand – miscellaneous wildlife, estuarine systems, hundreds of years of Zulu cultural heritage, Big Five, birding & varied landscapes. Unique experiences like turtle nesting tours and the Sardine Run. A mix of culture, wildlife & natural beauty for an unforgettable experience.
Greater Kruger & Sabi Sands
The Greater Kruger & Sabi Sands is a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts, with the Kruger National Park offering free roaming game over an area larger than Wales. The park is home to incredible elephant, buffalo, and antelope herds, and boasts hundreds of square kilometers of untouched landscapes. In 1993, the fences between Kruger and Sabi Sands were dropped, allowing nature and animals to move as they once could. Sabi Sands has some of the finest privately-owned lodges in the world, with destinations like Londolozi leading the way in modern-day safaris. The reserve is renowned for its habituated and abundant wildlife, providing opportunities for extraordinary close encounters, especially with the highly photogenic Leopard. The Sabi Sands has two major rivers, the Sand and Sabi, which support its ecology and offer unique experiences such as beautiful night choruses. With exceptional trackers and world-class operators, Sabi Sands is the perfect destination for an unforgettable African safari experience.
KwaZulu-Natal and Zululand
Kwazulu-Natal is a province in South Africa known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and cultural heritage. One of the most popular destinations in Kwazulu-Natal is the Drakensberg Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring dramatic peaks, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa. The park boasts a network of lakes, swamps, and wetlands that are an avid birders paradise.
With pristine beaches all along the coastline that attracts divers and surfers from all over the world. KZN is a wildlife utopia for both land and sea creatures and is the only place on earth you can watch Whale Sharks and Humpback whales in the morning and end your day with Big 5 game viewing as the sun sets behind the Lebombo mountains. Zululand is geared for travel and has a variety of exceptional lodges with unique offerings. It is a safe (almost entirely malaria free), extremely diverse region with incredible history, a beautifully warm climate and unimaginable game viewing.
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
The Midlands is a picturesque area in the heart of South Africa. Its rolling hills, farmlands, and quaint towns provide visitors with a glimpse into the local culture and history. The region is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the elusive leopard, and is a popular destination for birdwatchers. The Midlands Meander is a gorgeous scenic route which takes you through the charming towns of Howick, Nottingham Road, and Balgowan. The route is known for its art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants that offer visitors a taste of local cuisine.
Viewing the beautiful landscape by means of hiking and mountain biking is a favorite for adventurous travelers. Tranquil spas and hotels create the perfect location to unwind and relax while breathing in the fresh crisp air.
The Midlands is also a great destination for history buffs, with several museums and historical sites that offer a glimpse into the past. The Mandela Capture Site is a popular attraction, marking the spot where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962.
The Karoo
The Karoo, an expansive region of South Africa, was once teeming with wildlife but years of hunting and farming left the land barren and decimated many animal populations. Hope for the Karoo’s future has emerged with the renaissance of nature in recent years. Like a phoenix, the land will rise and heal.
Samara, a family-owned reserve, is at the forefront of this revival and is dedicated to restoring the Karoo to its former glory. The reserve boasts awe-inspiring landscapes with dramatic mountain ranges, vast open plains, and shimmering night skies. Travelers can once again, witness lions roam and learn about the Karoo’s ecology through the reserve’s exceptional tracking academy. The crisp and clear winter skies offer unparalleled star-gazing opportunities.
The stunning landscapes and wildlife are a reminder of the majesty of nature and the importance of preserving it for generations to come. The Karoo will become Africa’s next mega wilderness area, its magic is tangible, its beauty indescribable and it has an offering like nowhere else in Africa.
The Drakensberg
The Drakensberg, also known as the “Dragon Mountains,” is a phenomenal mountain range that spans over 1,000km. The area is swarming with wildlife, from baboons to the rare and endangered bearded vulture. The hiking trails and challenging rock-climbing routes for thrill-seekers truly do take your breath away. Travelers can marvel at the range’s gushing waterfalls, including the Tugela Falls, the second-highest waterfall in the world.
The Drakensberg also supplies significant cultural heritage, with ancient San rock art sites scattered throughout. These artworks offer a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the San people, who inhabited the area thousands of years ago.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari is a stunning semi-arid savannah that spans over 3 countries and covers 900,000 square kilometers. The Kalahari is home to the San, the indigenous people that have lived there for more than 20 000 years – a cultural tour is a must when visiting. The San are some of the world’s finest trackers and have a deep and intimate knowledge of nature and herbalism. The Kalahari is another Big 5 Eden and is famous for its large Black Maned Lions, but perhaps even more famous in the Kalahari are the Little 5 and the more unique inhabitants like aardvark and caracal.
The sunsets and starry nights are truly magical, making the Kalahari a photographer’s paradise. Travelers can stay at beautiful lodges like Tswalu in South Africa or Kalahari Plains in Botswana and enjoy activities such as horseback safaris and sleep-outs.
Western Cape and Cape Town
South Africa’s “Mother City,” is an eclectic emersion of cultures, languages, and ethnicities. Known for its beautiful location against the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town has been named the world’s most beautiful city by multiple travel publications. It’s a mecca for tourists, with luxurious hotels, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, acclaimed restaurants, exquisite white sandy beaches with turquoise water, and a vibey nightlife.
Just a short distance from the city, you can explore the world-famous Boulders Beach penguin colony, character-filled towns like Kalk Bay, and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Home to the Winelands, with its towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, it creates the chance to visit multiple wine farms and indulge in superb restaurants.
Cape Town’s diversity and natural beauty are evident in its many attractions, including whale watching in Hermanus, shark diving in Gansbaai, and the beautiful West Coast – Cape Town is quite simply a must for every traveler.
The Garden Route
This slice of heaven on earth provides the most beautiful scenic drive along South Africa’s east coast. With quirky padstals, expansive views of mountains ranges and the coastline, you’ll never be short of incredible views along the way. Small coastal towns will create the perfect place to relax if you’re so inclined. Or, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, bungee jumping, paragliding and canopy tours are a great way to let loose! Addo Elephant National Park lies inland of Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha, where you can explore a wide range of biodiversity, fauna, flora and wildlife. On your way there from the South, you can stop and hike in the Tsitsikamma National Park and enjoy incredible oceanic and mountainous views, with a local dassie here and there.
The Garden Route truly provides something for everyone, and travelers will truly be astonished by the beauty.
