South Africa

National Parks & Places of interest in South Africa

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape. Most tourists who visit South Africa are coming to experience this magnificent park and see the Big Five. Kruger’s historic Southern Region is bordered by the Crocodile River in the south and the Sabie River in the north. Much of the area is characterised by open savannah dotted with red bushwillow, jackalberry and acacia trees. The northern part of the Kruger National Park is distinguished by mopane, fever and giant baobab trees. Here are large herds of elephant and buffalo, and plentiful antelope, predators and birdlife.

Cape Town & Table Mountain National Park

At the tip of Africa, Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities. As a backdrop over the city bowl, Table Mountain is awe inspiring and commands the city from the Table at the top, which is often shrouded in a cloth of cloud. There are famous restaurants, picturesque winelands white sandy beaches, winding coastal drives, the famous prison on Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, the Waterfront, and much more. Incorporating various sections of Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park is South Africa’s only urban national park.

The Garden Route

Whatever your pleasure is, you’ll find what you’re looking on the Garden Route… even if it’s just to lose yourself in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. This is a very popular route for guests wishing to self drive and take time out to enjoy beautiful vistas and experiences - a mix of modern golf courses, ancient forests, secluded artists’ communities, retirement estates, modern malls, craft centres, mountain hideaways and beach holidays. The Garden Route National Park which connects the existing Tsitsikamma National Park’s ancient forests and wild coastline with the Wilderness National Park via a chain of lakes and preserved sections of Fynbos, is a fascinating and enchanting mix of ecosystems. This park is also famous for its secluded little bays and its year-round holiday frame-of- mind, and it’s conveniently accessible from Cape Town. While you’re exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Garden Route, don't forget to cast an eye out to sea where you could see the Southern Right and Humpback Whales, Bottlenose and common dolphins and even Killer Whales that have been known to frolic close to the shore, especially near Plettenberg Bay.

Winelands

The Cape’s main wine-producing region spreads around the small towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The Cape's wine routesare among the most scenic in the world, featuring many historic wine estates that date back centuries. Take your time exploring this magnificent part of South Africa’s Western Cape province and enjoy sampling its magnificent wines and brandies. The Cape Winelands are the most well-known, and include the Route 62 wine route, said to be the world’s longest wine route. Most Cape wine estates are characterised by classic Cape Dutch-style buildings and massive vineyards with picturesque mountains as a backdrop. There is also a distinct European influence in number of regions, thanks to the arrival of French Huguenot, Dutch and German settlers during the 18th century.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route, South Africa’s oldest, was founded in 1971. JC Le Roux, a world-renowned sparkling wine, is produced here. Paarl, the third-oldest town in South Africa, is home to the internationally renowned Nederburg Wine Estate, as well as numerous other premier brands. Constantia, a 20 minutes' drive from Cape Town, is the closest wine region to the Mother City. The Franschhoek Wine Valley is also famous for its food and is acknowledged as the “gourmet capital of South Africa”

Hermanus

A few hours drive from Cape Town, Hermanus is one of the world's prime whale-watching spots. There's nothing between here and the Antarctic, from where whales migrate between about May and December (though the prime viewing months are August to November). The coastal town of Hermanus has become synonymous with shore-based whale watching, given its sheltered coves in which these marine mammals come to mate and calve. It also offers range of other activities and attractions for travellers. Southern right whales start arriving in Walker Bay from June and remain until December. These massive creatures can be viewed from the shore, or from boats or planes. To alert onlookers, a whale crier sounds his kelp horn when he spots whales off the Hermanus coastline. For its scenic beauty alone, Hermanus is one of South Africa's Cape gems. The town’s mountainous backdrop declines steeply to a rugged shoreline, characterised by deep bays alternating with stark white beaches. Truly a beautiful place to visit!