Situated on the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa has often been described as a world in one country. It has a wealth of natural beauty, pristine wilderness, warm and friendly people, cosmopolitan cities and excellent infrastructure - making South Africa a favorite safari destination. South Africa is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.
The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed to protect the remaining eleven elephants in the area. Today, it is a sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species as well as the unique flightless dung beetle. The park contains five of South Africa’s major vegetation zones. It is also probably the only park in the world that houses the so-called “Big 7”, elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whale and the great white shark in their natural habitat.
Affectionately known as the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world and South Africa’s most popular tourist destination. Its most notable natural feature is the Table Mountain which forms a dramatic backdrop. The city boasts a good climate, natural setting and a relatively well-developed infrastructure making it an ideal holiday destination throughout the year.
Lying on the southern coast of South Africa, southeast of Cape Town,
Hermanus is famous for whale watching during the southern winter and
spring. Hermanus hosts an annual whale festival at the end of
September, when the Southern Right Whales come into the local bay
during the mating season. The Old Harbour Museum contains several
exhibitions which explain its whaling history.
The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO), a research facility of the
National Research Foundation is part of the worldwide network which
monitors variations of the Earth s magnetic field.
Also famous for its beaches, the Hermanus Yacht Club is popular in the
Western Cape amongst the yachting community.
The hinterland beyond the town is largely wild and mountainous and
there are many remote areas of hills and wild ravines. The thermals
rising around the rugged heights of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve
attract paragliders from all over the world.
Known as the gateway to Africa, Johannesburg is a city literally built
on gold. Established in 1886 when gold was struck, the city has been
rebuilt four times in the past century - it started as a tent town,
worked up to a tin-shack settlement, a four-story Edwardian settlement
and finally graduated as a modern city of glass and concrete
skyscrapers. It is one of the youngest major cities in the world and is
a mélange of African cultures, and is quite possibly the most
cosmopolitan city on the continent.
This game reserve is located in pristine surroundings, the tranquility
and splendor in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The
sanctuary to abundant game and wildlife such as lion, elephant,
buffalo, leopard, rhino, hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, eland,
wildebeest, waterbuck and a variety of antelope, as well as a myriad of
bird species, including nesting Martial, Crowned and Fish Eagles, this
14826 acres of private game reserve is a must, for those seeking the
retreat and the thrill of the great outdoors and an African Safari
vacation of a lifetime. Set high above the spectacular Kariega River
Valley, you cannot get closer to nature than in this wondrous African
wilderness, in the heart of the 1820 Settler Country, with its rich
historical heritage.
Knysna, nestled on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the ‘Garden Route’, South Africa. It is surrounded by a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches, making it a real natural wonderland.
The world famous Kruger National Park and the surrounding private reserves are the heart of South Africa’s big game country where you can find the country’s most famous private lodges and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. It is South Africa’s largest game reserve and home to an impressive number of species that ranks it among the best in Africa. Adjoining it are private reserves where fences are no longer a hindrance to the free movement of animals, thus creating an unrivaled diversity of life forms. It offers an incredible experience of Africa at its most wild.
Mpumalanga, which means 'place where the sun rises' in the local
languages of Siswati and Zulu, is one of South Africa’s tourism
hotspots, loved by both local and international visitors for its beauty
and diversity. The province is home to Kruger National Park, exquisite panoramic views, mountains, rivers, caves,
trout fishing, birding opportunities, ecotourism, adventure
holidays and the rich offerings of the local Ndebele and Swazi
cultures.
The Kruger National Park and the surrounding private reserves are the
heart of South Africa‘s big game country. It is here that you’ll find
the country's most famous private lodges, The Pilanesberg National Park
borders on the entertainment complex of Sun City. The park is 135,907 acres in extent. It is almost perfectly circular because it comprises
the area of a 1,200 million years old volcano crater with a small lake
in the center. An abundance of wild life proliferates in 360 miles of
diverse and arresting bushveld terrain. The park is home to healthy
populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and
buffalo, Africa's -Big Five.
Plettenberg Bay is one of the beautiful stops on the famous Garden
Route in South Africa. It is renowned for its endless white beaches,
beautiful lagoon and river mouth, whale watching, nature reserve, pansy
shells and night life. This is what makes it a popular holiday resort
for locals and foreigners.
With its exceptional climate and beautiful view sites over the Indian
Ocean, Plettenberg Bay is perfect for exploring, watching or just
lazing.
Pretoria a relatively small city, lies about 31 miles north of
Johannesburg and is approximately three degrees warmer than its
southern cousin. Although largely a government-based city, it is also a
place of culture, with theaters, museums and monuments. Known as the
Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees which line its
thoroughfares, Pretoria is a lovely, quiet city. It has a long,
involved and fascinating history. Here you will find many significant
old buildings and some fascinating museums. The Transvaal Museum has
wonderful natural history displays and is the home of Mrs. Ples, the
nickname for a fossil that was discovered by Dr Robert Broom of the
Transvaal Museum at the Sterkfontein Caves in 1947. Also worth visiting
are the Cultural History Museum and the Smuts Museum, just outside town.
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve shares a common unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park creating one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations in Africa with a consistently year-round population of animals that remain within the area. The chances of spotting the elusive leopard is greater here than in any other place. Its varied fauna and flora is sustained by the Sabi and Sand Rivers that flow through it.
Described as the ‘anthropological treasure-house of the world’, the Sterkfontein Caves, located around 31 miles from Johannesburg, is home to some of the most important discoveries on human evolution. The site has been declared a World Heritage Site and emphasizes the fact that Africa is truly the ‘cradle of mankind’. The caves itself are awe-inspiring and will leave a lasting impression on its visitors.
