“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
South Africa is a vast and diverse country that has a lot to offer those who visit it, a country that offers magnificent natural treasures, a rich history, pristine beaches and forests, huge deserts as well as some of the best wines in the world, gourmet food and adventures and adrenaline-pumping activities.
With a pleasant temperature all year round and multiple malaria-free zones, this country of contrasts is the perfect luxury destination for adventure and nature lovers but also for those who want to discover effervescent urban scenarios and enjoy miles of golden beaches. .
South Africa is one of the most beautiful and varied countries on the planet home to mountain ranges, arid deserts, wild swamps and vast savannas, and the people of the Rainbow Nation are welcoming and hospitable.
The Kruger National Park is an undisputed icon of nature safaris, one of the most famous natural areas in the world and not without reason, the population of wild animals that populate its territories is surprisingly large and numerous.
Greater Kruger Park encompasses the large area of land on the western edge of the park which consists mainly of private reserves; there are no fences between the private reserves and the Kruger National Park.
The private, dedicated conservation reserves are home to top-notch safari lodges offering every conceivable comfort, the safaris are led by highly trained guides and trackers who have exceptional knowledge of the area’s wildlife.
Addo Elephant Park is one of South Africa’s great conservation success stories, created in 1931 as a sanctuary for the last 11 elephants to survive hunters and poachers, today it has more than 450 elephants living freely within the park.
Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth largest reserve in South Africa and is located in the north-western province on the border with Botswana, the savannas are home to numerous animal species including impala, kudu, wildebeest, black and white rhinos, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards , buffaloes, cheetahs and above all three herds of wild dogs.
Marakele National Park, in addition to protecting elephants, black and white rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, kudus and antelopes, is home to the largest population of Cape vultures, at risk of extinction, making it an essential stop for birdwatchers.
Pilanesberg National Park, one of the largest parks in South Africa, located within an extinct volcano crater, offers fantastic landscapes and boasts a wide variety of plants, birds and animals, including the Big Five.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the most remote places in South Africa, the ideal place to escape the hectic pace of everyday life and enjoy the silence and beauty of the Kalahari desert as well as admire the huge black maned lions.
South Africa is the perfect destination for those who love to try their hand at numerous activities from skydiving to walking safaris, from hot air ballooning to windsurfing, from ziplining on trees to river rafting.
For those who love walking in nature, exploring the coastal paths of the Cape Point Nature Reserve is a fantastic experience while for those who love water activities the coast offers the opportunity to go out on a paddle board or go surfing.
Sodwana Bay, one of the best diving destinations; more than 1200 species of fish can be found here along its abundant coral reefs, including Coelacanth, rediscovered in Jesser Canyon in 2000 after it was widely believed extinct.
South Africa is one of the best destinations in the world for golfing holidays.
Other activities include paragliding from Signal Hill, mountain biking in the Cederberg and a trekking excursion to Table Mountain.
In Johannesburg it is possible to practice bungee jumping by launching from the top of the Orlando Cooling Towers, the iconic towers of an old power plant today a landmark.
Among the most unusual activities there is certainly sandboarding along the slopes of artificial hills created with debris extracted from mines or going caving at the Cradle of Humankind.
Cape Town is a relaxed and eclectic city, located on a wide bay with Table Mountain dominating the center; it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Mother City also boasts fantastic beaches, the Clifton area, for example, has a French Riviera vibe, has an effervescent dining scene offering fine food and wine, plus it offers iconic cultural experiences such as Robben Island and the former colony. prison which now represents a place of pilgrimage and hope.
Johannesburg is a city of a thousand contrasts but offers unique experiences such as a visit to the township of Soweto which played a fundamental role in the birth of and the anti-apartheid movement that declared its downfall.
Unmissable are the Farmer Markets that enliven Johannesburg weekends, they are fun places to listen to live music, enjoy excellent street food style dishes and shop for handicrafts.
The Kalahari Desert is one of the most extreme environments in the world, it is the ancestral home of the San people, the Bushmen, one of the oldest indigenous tribes in Africa.
the Kalahari with a seemingly infinite space and a ruthless climate represents a fascinating and at the same time wild and rude place, here nature makes its power felt at every corner but it is surprising to note how many animals have adapted to this hostile environment.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, is an area of the Kalahari characterized by arid landscapes and red dunes where you can admire numerous animal species.
The Great Karoo is a place of immense space, wide-angle horizons, steep mountain ranges, conical hills, an ancient inland seabed, and a sky so large it feels like you can touch the stars at night.
The succulent Karoo is the area of the Karoo desert that is home to extraordinary vegetation and when spring arrives in Namaqua National Park, there is an incredible natural spectacle: the flowering of the desert, millions of orange daisies invade the Namaqua National Park creating a show so beautiful and unique it will take your breath away.
The Cape Peninsula is a spectacular area with long beaches, pristine bays and one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world; one of the most scenic routes in the world that slides between white beaches and mountains until you reach the Cape of Good Hope.
Do not miss the beaches of Camps Bay, Muizimberg, the viewpoint of Chapman’s Peak and Boulders Beach where there is a colony of African penguins.
The quiet town of Hermanus, once a quiet fishing village, is now one of the most important areas in the world for whale watching.
Hermanus is a nature lover’s paradise, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery, take nature walks along the magnificent Walkers Bay, go horseback riding, play golf and of course whale watching directly from the coast.
The Eastern Cape region of South Africa enjoys a varied and spectacular landscape; the coastline is rugged, pristine and lapped by the mild Indian Ocean, the lush forests of the wild coast and temperate rainforest in the Tsitsikamma region are magical places.
The 80km Tsitsikamma National Park is home to many native trees and wildlife and offers many exciting activities such as bunjee jumping and river rafting, as well as hiking and bird watching.
The Garden Route will leave visitors mesmerized with its abundance of rivers, spectacular mountains, lagoons, lake beaches and wildlife, ideally the start of the Garden Route is Port Elizabeth, which offers wide beaches, a lovely walk and stunning examples of architecture. Victorian.
Knysna is one of the most beautiful Indian Ocean resorts in South Africa with tall sandstone columns that protect its huge lagoon, surrounded by forests, swamps and wonderful beaches.
The coast of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the only large remaining nesting site in Africa where loggerhead and leatherback turtles still lay their eggs.
Finally, the West Coast, a long stretch of coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean characterized by long deserted white beaches, charming villages and excellent restaurants where you can enjoy the freshest fish.
Wine production in South Africa dates back to 1659 and today wine is produced in more than 340 wineries and represents an important source of income and prestige.
Cape Town is the gateway to the main South African wine lands where they stand out from all three locations, each different and with its own characteristics and history but united by the passion for wine.
Stellenbosch is renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture and tree-lined streets, it is only a 30 minute drive east of Cape Town and its vineyards stretch over the rolling hills between the Stellenbosch mountains and the sea making for a fantastic location for the production and quality of the wines.
Franschhoek, located in a picturesque valley, was founded by French Huguenots in the 17th century who brought their winemaking skills to the region and the French influence is still evident today in both the cuisine and the atmosphere in this historic country with its whitewashed farms.
Less famous than the previous towns, Paarl is located on the banks of the Berg River Valley, at the foot of the Paarl Mountains, surrounded by luxurious countryside.