A World in One Country - South Africa
Each area offers a completely different experience.
The capital city Johannesburg is one of the gateways into South Africa. Most people will go shopping there or visit a gold mine. I took an interesting tour of Soweto which allowed me to see life in a Township.
Sun City is a little surreal. When you are there you have to remind yourself you are in Africa! It's a great place to be able to relax and have a fun holiday. There is entertainment for all the family - golf, spa, casino, safari, water park......The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is malaria-free and perfect for a first time safari.
Mpumalanga is home to the world famous Kruger National Park and its many private game reserves. Just two days on safari there gave me sightings of the Big 5 - elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard. The camps are small and offer a very authentic African experience. Visits to God's Window, Blyde River Canyon and Pligrims Rest should be on your list if you are self-driving and keen to explore the area.
I felt the real 'African Experience' driving to KwaZulu Natal via Swaziland. Vast plains dotted with mud huts. The capital city Durban is very cosmopolitan and has a large population of Indian people. Here you can wander along the seafront and enjoy the many sandy beaches. Explore the Drakensberg Mountains, safari at nearby Hluhluwe or visit Shakaland to learn all about Zulu culture and traditions.
The Western Cape is another gateway into South Africa. Cape Town is a beautiful city with Table Mountain as its backdrop. To avoid disappointment make sure you take the cable car to the top when it is sunny as the views are amazing. The clouds tend to come over the mountain very quickly and can catch you out! My visit to Robben Island was an emotional one. The tour guides are ex-prisoners which make their accounts even more poignant. It was a remarkable experience to see where Nelson Mandela made a difference to a country and to the lives of so many.
A short drive out of Cape Town takes you to the Winelands area and the chance to sample the wonderful wines produced in South Africa. The most popular towns are Stellenbosch and Paarl. For food and wine lovers an overnight stay is a must.
The Garden Route is one of the world’s most scenic drives. There are two routes; we took the coastal one making overnight stops at Knysna and Tsitsikamma. We stayed on a lake and also in the forest. Enjoy hiking, sandy beaches and conservation parks.
Port Elizabeth is at the end of the route and home to many private game reserves. This area is malaria-free and popular for families and those going on safari for the first time. Off road safaris allow you the opportunity to get close to the animals. A wonderful & exciting experience which will stay with me forever.
South Africa has natural beauty, great wildlife and wonderful scenery. It also offers a fabulous culinary experience, so make the most of the fresh produce and fine wines there too!