Regions - South Africa
South Africa is a great destination if you want to mix an "easy" safari with other sightseeing experiences. Unlike other safari spots, South Africa offers a more diverse range of travel options. Here are a few of our favorite locales within the country:
Kruger National Park and surrounding reserves
The northeast corner of the country is home to the best wild game viewing in South Africa. This includes the Kruger National Park, its private concessions and nearby private reserves such as the Sabi Sands, the Manyaleti, and the Timbavati. The area thrives with over 200 different species of animals, including the highly sought after "Big 5" (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo). So named because these animals were the most dangerous to hunt, most visitors to this area will see the Big 5 within 2-4 game drives, along with many other wonderful creatures.
Days start early here - game drives begin around 5:30 am for 3-4 hours, and then again around 4:00 pm for about 3 hours. Generally you'll travel by open air Land Rover, and sometimes walking safaris are possible as well, but you're always accompanied by a highly-trained ranger who understands the animals and how to access them safely. Lodges in this area range from moderate to truly luxurious - the nicest generally located in the private reserves or in private concessions within Kruger. Kruger itself allows visitors to "self drive" as long as you stay on the roads and do not leave your vehicle. Camps in Kruger are government run and are generally larger and more basic than those in the private reserves.
Cape Town
Considered one of the most picturesque cities in the world, Cape Town lies on the southwest coast of South Africa, set against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain. Blessed with fantastic scenery, a variety of adventurous activities, cosmopolitan culture and a Mediterranean climate, Cape Town is not to be missed by anyone visiting South Africa. The city itself offers an eclectic variety of restaurants and nightlife, shopping, art galleries, performance arts, and lovely accommodations. Many visitors also day-trip to the nearby Cape of Good Hope for gorgeous coastal scenery, fur seals and penguins. Others find their way to the nearby Winelands (see below), or visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than two decades. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is also a lively center of entertainment, dining and shopping and fun at any time of day.
Cape Winelands
Only a hour's drive from Cape Town but a world away lie the high mountains, green valleys with rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands. These include a the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, famous across South Africa for their charming Cape Dutch architecture. As a day trip from the city or for 1-3 three nights, this is a lovely area in which to relax, visit vineyards, stay in a boutique guest house, and be treated to amazing food and world class wine. Some of the best restaurants on the entire continent can be found in this area. While analogous in some senses to California's Napa Valley, the Cape Winelands have a style all their own and can be an enjoyable addition to a stay in the Cape Town area.
The Whale Coast
Two hours from Cape Town, the southern coast around Hermanus and Walker Bay is home to some of the world's best whale watching. Particularly from June through November when Southern Right whales migrate from Antarctica to their warm water breeding grounds, sightings are practically guaranteed. Uniquely, one can observe whales from various vantage points on land, as they relax in the calm waters close to shore. For closer encounters, take a whale watch cruise to observe their behavior further from shore. This area also offers the "Marine Big 5", including whales, dolphins, fur seals, penguins and great white sharks. Those with bravado can even go shark cage diving - you'll see great whites in the safety of a metal cage - be sure to bring an underwater camera!
Garden Route
Stretching from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth is South Africa's Garden Route, considered to be one of the most attractive coastal roads in the world. Many visitors spend three to five days in this area, meandering along the coast to enjoy the charming seaside towns, soft sand beaches, pretty lagoons, adventurous activities and interesting inland sights and parks. From ostrich farms and cheetah breeding centers to prehistoric caves and exhilarating activities like treetop canopy tours and bungee jumping (the world's highest), there is beauty, adventure and character to discover along the Garden Route.
Durban and The Wild Coast
The eastern portion of the country, comprised of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces, are decidedly more rugged and less visited by foreign tourists. Driving east from Port Elizabeth, there is absolutely spectacular coastal scenery and smaller towns and villages, where visitors can gain a deeper insight into black South African culture. Along the coast near Umtata is Nelson Mandela's birthplace and home to the Nelson Mandela Museum. Roads here are not as good, and going is slow, but for those who yearn to see a pristine side of South Africa, this is a good bet. As you work your way up the coast you will eventually reach Durban, a city that is a melting pot of cultures, including a substantial Indian population. The food here is an interesting melange of flavors, and very good. Near the city are good beaches and holiday resorts, and the weather is temperate to warm all year round. This is a place where South Africans from around the country come for a beach during the winter months.
Johannesburg
Located in Gauteng Province, Johannesburg is the hub for most travel within Southern Africa. Many visitors bypass the city, but for those with additional time there are some incredibly worthwhile places to visit. These include the Apartheid Museum, which provides a fascinating look at the country's history prior to 1994, as well as a trip to the township of Soweto, a hotbed of protest and anti-Apartheid activity. Close to Johannesburg you'll also find the "Cradle of Humankind", a series of limestone caves that have yielded numerous hominid remains dating back 2.5 to 3.0 million years. As the largest South African City, Johannesburg is also a center of fashion, art and shopping.
Other areas of interest
In Mpumalanga Province, you can experience spectacular scenery at the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world. Or, just north of Cape Town, you can treat yourselves to a luxury lodge surrounded by gorgeous wildflowers and gorgeous rock formations with ancient cave paintings. If golf is your passion, South Africa delivers, with many excellent courses around the country. Divers will enjoy the northwest portion of KwaZulu Natal, where you can go on a game drive in the morning, and explore the underwater world in the afternoon.
