SOUTH AFRICA
Big game in the Kruger and other parks, Zulu Battlefields in Natal, the majestic Drakensburg Mountains, the charming Garden Route, the Cape Winelands and cosmopolitan Cape Town in its majestic setting. You need time to do it all justice but there’s a wealth of things to see, with superb food and wines, a huge choice of accommodation, the chance to self-drive if you want and is currently really great value due to the strength of the pound.
Cape Town – the mother city 
Cape Town really does have one of the world’s most spectacular settings and it’s a superb city to visit. You can stay in the city bowl or one of the beach suburbs and as well as the classic sights such as Table Mountain and the former prison, Robben Island, try to make time to explore the city centre with its museums, including the moving District Six museum, and gentrifying Bo-Kap district. Further afield Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must see as are the beach areas and Cape Point. Consider checking out the galleries in edgy Woodstock or see how the bulk of the population lives by joining one the of township tours. There are some brilliant accommodation options also so it’s worth just taking the time to relax.
Cape Town ’13 from Claire&Max on Vimeo.
Cape Winelands
While you can easily visit the winelands from Cape Town a flying day visit or two will not really do them justice, The attractive towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch (well known for its University) and Franschoek are famous for their Dutch architecture and are set in a very pretty region with some towering mountains and vineyards everywhere. Franschoek,, in particular, has become noted for its extremely fine dining and throughout the region you will get plenty of chances to sample excellent wines.
Garden Route and Kwazulu Natal
The Garden Route is a scenic part of the country stretching from the Cape region along to Port Elizabeth. Kynsna and Plettenburg Bay are among the best-known stops and if you are looking for a coastal location make sure to visit Hermanus – famous for its whales between June and December. The route can also include the stark semi-arid desert called the Karoo, with its ostrich farms. Further east are a number of game reserves, allowing you to see the Big 7, which include famous Addo and Shamwari. Further up the coast in sub-tropical Kwazulu Natal you will find plenty to explore in the Battlefields, such as Rorke’s Drift or Isandlwana, or the iconic Drakensburg mountains – the “Barrier of Spears” in Zulu.
Kruger National Park
Kruger is possibly the most famous game reserve in Africa and is certainly the oldest as well as being one of the largest and most diverse. There are rest camps throughout and its western borders are ringed by a number of exclusive private reserves with some extremely luxurious lodges and camps. You can easily reach Kruger in a short flight from Johannesburg or stop in somewhere like Hazyview in the drive over.
- Try not to do too much in one go. You could easily spend at least a week in and around Cape Town and the Winelands so do not rush.
- As it is such a big country the climate variations are huge. Basically you can visit it all year round however as the Cape has a Mediterranean type climate most people would plan to avoid visiting in Winter (May-September)
- This is an excellent self-drive destination so take time to talk through the options – the Garden Route; Cape Winelands; Kwazulu Natal and Kruger. Roads are good and driving is on the left.
- Given the current strength of the pound against the rand it is an excellent value destination and accommodation and dining costs will seem very reasonable
- If you are travelling as a family with small children then consider visiting one of the malaria free game reserves.
- Make sure you try the Cape Malay cuisine and some of the fine game meats.
- Please note that there are stringent new rules (October 2014) for all families travelling with children under 18 years old – now postponed into 2015.
- Sublime Cape Town with its setting, sights and surrounds
- The Cape Winelands for food, drink and charming towns and hotels
- The range of wildlife parks and reserves plus the chance to see whales.
- The impressive scenery – Drakensburg, Karoo and Garden Route
- The Kwazulu Natal Battlefields with Rorke’s Drift, Isandlwana and Spion Kop being the best known.
- Visa Required: No
- Population: 53 million
- Capital City: Pretoria
- Currency: South African Rand
- Classic Dishes: Meats/BBQ, “curry”, Biriyani, biltong, Cape Malay.
- Cost of Local Tipple: Castle beer (£1) – great value wines
- Year round somewhere in the country. The Cape area is best October to April
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by TMS
