South Africa

Introduction

Often described as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, South Africa is certainly unmatched for its colourful diversity. It is a country that positively celebrates life in the great outdoors – a place for spotting the Big Five on a luxury safari, followed by campfire sundowners in a luxury lodge. The coastline is extraordinarily beautiful, magnificent mountains tumbling down to the white sand beaches of the Garden Route, whilst the fertile valleys of the Cape Winelands, with their Dutch manor houses and immaculately tended vines, offer a complete change of scene.

For scuba diving and deep-sea fishing, choose KwaZulu Natal, also renowned for its battlefields and golf courses. Or why not opt for a luxury holiday to Cape Town and enjoy the very best of city chic. Our specialists would be delighted to tailor-make your luxury holiday to South Africa and can suggest the perfect safari, family holiday or honeymoon for you.

South Africa | Personal View

Julie Crump - An Eco Adventure, South Africa

Grootbos Nature Reserve at Gansbaai in South Africa's Western Cape is a true nature-lover's paradise. Set in a three thousand acre nature reserve with over 650 species of indigenous plants, its location is breathtaking. To reach the lodge itself, we walked through beautiful Milkwood Forests over a thousand years old.

Grootbos offers visitors many ways to appreciate the natural beauty of the area including guided flower and nature walks or boat tours. The lodge has its own stables and one afternoon, we went horse riding through the reserve and down to the beach to enjoy a glass of champagne at the Klipgat Cave. However, the highlight of my stay was a whale watch cruise to see Southern Right Whales, something I had always dreamed of doing.

I visited in August - an excellent time to see the whales as they visit the waters off the coast here between July and December. I didn't want to get too excited in case the whales remained elusive, but was thrilled as one of these beautiful creatures swam right by the side of our boat and then dived underneath it. It was an absolutely amazing sight! I felt as though I could have reached out and touched it. During the trip, we even caught a glimpse of an enormous great white shark - though I was glad this encounter was not quite as close!

Moving on, I went to stay at the Plettenberg Hotel in Plettenberg Bay and from here, journeyed to Storms River for a unique tree top canopy tour at the Tsitsikamma National Park. The canopy tour is a unique eco wilderness adventure in the indigenous rainforest in the heart of the Garden Route. This exhilarating journey involves 'flying' on a wire, suspended in the canopy, 30 metres above the forest floor! The giant Outeniqua Yellowood Trees are home to a spectacular array of birdlife and the scenery is breathtaking. Though not for the faint hearted, the tour is an exceptional and unforgettable experience.

Regional Info

HIGHLIGHTS

Table Mountain, Cape Town
Home to some of South Africa's most breathtaking views. Take a guided walk on one of the many routes or simply ride the cable car to the top.
Robben Island, Cape Town
This legendary island, now a World Heritage Site, is a must-see. Former inmates will take you on an insightful tour of the prison grounds where Nelson Mandela and his comrades were imprisoned for decades during the Apartheid era.
The Garden Route
The extraordinarily beautiful coastline of the Garden Route from Cape Town along the coast to the Tsitsikamma Forest is a traveller's delight. Take your time, soak in the scenery and enjoy the cuisine and South African hospitality.
A Luxury Big Five safari
Enjoy the comforts of a luxury lodge as your base for exhilarating game drives or walks to spot the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) The Sabi Sand Reserve is home to many private game reserves with direct access to the great Kruger National Park.

EVENTS

November - March - Turtle Spotting
See the gigantic leatherback and loggerhead turtles in their annual nesting (Nov-Jan) and hatching (Jan-Mar) rituals at St. Lucia and Rocktail Bay, KwaZulu - Natal.
December - March - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Sunset Concerts
Every Sunday during the summer months in Cape Town, musical sunset concerts are held on the lawns. Craft markets are also held on the last Sunday of every month at the Stone Cottage (opposite Kirstenbosch).
March - Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The largest jazz festival on the continent and referred to by many as the "Africa's Grandest Gathering" is a fantastic celebration of jazz music and draws artists and visitors from the world over.
July - Knysna Oyster Festival
The pick n pay Knysna Oyster Festival is a celebration of sport and the good life. The traditional favourites of the festival include the oyster cooking competition, the Waitron Race and bowls tournament.
September - Whale Festival
Hermanus is home to the Southern Right Whale from June to November this is an enviro-arts festival with music, crafts, wine and food.
October - Stellenbosch Music Festival
A cultural event featuring art exhibitions, workshops and community projects as well as classical and traditional music.

LOCAL SPECIALITIES

Wineries - Winelands
Most of the wine growing areas are located around Cape Town and you will be able to taste and then purchase many of the locally produced wines.
Diamonds - Kimberly
At Kimberley you will find the Big Hole which, is the largest hand dug manmade excavation and the Mine Museum with replicas of 19th Century Kimberly during the diamond rush. The De Beers Museum also displays cut and uncut diamonds.
Rosebank Market- Johannesburg and Green Market - Cape Town
Treasure troves of South African designed art, linen, tableware and original handcrafted gifts. Rural crafts are a major features these markets and visitors will be able to buy intricate, soapstone, leather, marble and woodcarving. African beadwork is also a major highlight of these markets.
Bobotie
A curried mince dish.
Potjiekos
A casserole cooked for hours, usually outside.
Biltong
Seasoned dried meat.
Sosaties
A type of Kebab.
Amarula Cream
A sweet creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the Marula Tree.

TRAVEL TIPS

CAPITALS
Cape Town - legislative
Pretoria - administrative
Bloemfontein - judicial

TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT +2 hours

LANGUAGE
There are 11 official languages - English is widely spoken

CURRENCY
South African Rand

CAR HIRE
Always drive on the left hand side of the road. Petrol can only be paid for with cash and it is advisable to have some South African currency available as toll roads are found on most of the major routes.

FLYING TIME
11 hours

Honeymoons & Weddings

Luxury Train Journeys

Multi-Centre Holidays