South Africa

South Africa's scenery is legendary, pick up any travel or lifestyle magazine and you will see the lofty Table Mountain or the russet tinged vineyards staring right back at you. She proudly wears her deserved title of "A world in one country" and rightly so for there's so much more to South Africa than fine wine, beaches and bush.

South Africa's hotels and spas are consistently rated amongst the very finest in the world and with trendy boutique hotels, restored colonial homes, vineyard retreats, the ultimate in luxury game lodges and child friendly resorts so those of you who are in search of original, luxurious accommodation will be in seventh heaven when planning your vacation to South Africa.

 Brimming with lip smacking wines and inexpensive world class cuisine South Africa is a foodies dream. The cuisine depicts a blend of many cultural societies with a tantalizing table that has evolved over centuries. Take it from us the traditional "Cape Dutch" cuisine is sublime, and it's for this reason that our signature "Cooks Itinerary of South Africa" has proven to be so popular.

South Africa has nine provinces;- Cape Town (known as the mother city) is the heart of the Western Cape although the Cape Winelands, Cape Whale Coast (along the Overberg coast from Hermanus past Gansbaai to De Hoop Nature Reserve) and The Garden Route don't have to hustle too hard for their share of the limelight.

The Cape Winelands (Western Cape) is without doubt an area of spectacular beauty with its rugged mountains, fertile valleys, scenic mountain passes, historical monuments and of course acres upon acres of lush vineyards and world-famous wine estates. It is the largest wine producing region in South Africa and is divided into six main wine regions, each offering their own unique wine route. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington are the most popular.

Ancient indigenous forests filled with giant yellow wood trees and abundant wild flowers give the Garden Route (Western Cape) its name, with beautiful beaches and bays, shimmering freshwater lakes and extensive mountain ranges that huddle close to the shoreline. The starting point of the Garden Route is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay. 

Scenic diversity is one of the most striking characteristics of the Eastern Cape, discover the untamed wilderness of the Wild Coast which boasts over a hundred kilometers of shining beaches and incorporates more than a million hectares of Malaria free game reserve. The Karoo Heartland has become decidedly hip, once considered a barren backwater it now features numerous art galleries and restaurants, it also boasts to some of quaintest towns in the country. 

KwaZulu Natal is renowned for its subtropical coastline, famous golf courses and fabulous diving experiences yet the true heartbeat of the region has to be Zululand which is situated Northwest of KwaZulu Natal. It was here that the King of the Zulus, Shaka forged his Zulu Kingdom and the last battle of the Anglo-Zulu war was fought near Ulundi in 1879. A must do whilst in KwaZulu Natal is a visit to a traditional Zulu village to gain an insight into the Zulus' former traditional way of life, it's a fabulous experience that will entertain the whole family and includes displays of fighting technique's, cultural dances and various craft demonstrations, afterwards enjoy a Zulu beer and join in a traditional meal.

Within Mpumalanga a province of magnificent scenery, impressive gorges, waterfalls and forest lays Kruger National Park Africa's oldest and largest nature reserve. Picture an area about the size of Israel home of "the big five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) with endless savannah, rapid rivers and animal population of approximately 300,000 and you have Kruger. Kruger's truly raw and it's guaranteed to leave the first time visitor in awe of its absolute magnificence. In Kruger visitors get up close and personal with wild Africa, it's a place where the reality of life and death is played out on a daily basis and it's seeing these animals in their untamed natural environment that evokes such great emotion.

 Known as the Great North, Limpopo province is land of legend. Ruins and relics abound in ancient forests, sparkling trout waters, hot mineral springs and luscious waterfalls. Limpopo is home to ancient lands and pre-historic secrets, its also home to Modjadji, the fabled Rain Queen and to the Stone Age and Iron age relics of Makapansgat Valley and the treasures of Mapungubwe that date back to time immemorial.    

South Africa is a year-round destination so when you visit depends on what you intend and prefer to do. The best time for game viewing is in August to October, the Southern Right Whales can be seen off the coasts from June to the end of October and the Humpback Whales from August to December.