Destination Southern Africa

South African landscapes, people, history and culture are diverse, enchanting and exotic and above all enjoyable and memborable. If you have never been to South Africa, prepare yourself for the advenure and experience of a lifetime. If you’ve been to South Africa before, then you already know there is always much, much more to see and experience.

One of the most difficult decisions is selecting the number of destinations to visit given the time you plan to spend in South Africa and your primary means of travel. Obviously you can visit more destinations if you travel by air but you may also sacrifice some beautiful scenery and cultural experiences that define South Africa.

It is also important to consider the length of stay at a particular destination. Don’t try to see too many destinations or plan to travel everyday, you will exhaust yourself and miss some of those “unique and special” South African momemts. Based on our past experiences, we recommend spending two or three days in a major destination. See several areas but only the major attractions in each area.

If you are an international traveler to South Africa, you will most likely arrive and/or depart from Johannesburg or Cape Town. To maximize their time in South Africa many travelers choose to arrival in one city and depart from the other. The direct flights between the USA and South Africa are about 15 hours, and flights between Europe and South Africa about 12 hours.

Listed below are:

• "Must See" Destinations in South Africa
• "Must See" Destinations in Southern Africa(Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Indian Ocean Islands-Maritius and the Seychelles)

Any of our tours can be modified to include any of these locations as a substitution or as an "add on."

The Most Popular “Must See” Destinations In South Africa

Cape Town | The Garden Route | Krugger National Park

Johannesburg | Soweto | Praetoria | The Drackenburg Mountains

Cape Town - Affectionately known as the Mother City, Cape Town is South Africa's oldest city and with the flat-topped Table Mountain in the background and an incomparable view of the sea, is rated one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The atmosphere is relaxed and comparable to any world class city. Top attractions include the cable-car up Table Mountain to enjoy a panorama of the city and pensinsula or a ferry ride to historic Robben Island where Nelson was imprisoned for decades during the Apartheid era. The Castle of Good Hope is also a favorite visitor attraction as is the photogenic historic Malay Quarter of the Bo-Kaap.

Breathtaking beaches and small communities such as Clifton, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay line the Atlantic seaboard near Cape Town. Shopping is quite popular at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cavendish Square and Canal Walk as are the fleamarkets at Greenmarket Square, Green Point and Hout Bay. Cape Town’s Long Street is also famous for it’s fine restaurants and energetic nightlife where you will find trendy dining at its absolute best. Cape Town is everyone's favorite city, offering the best life has to offer.

Cape Town, with it’s proximity to the winelands, is often used as a base for visitors who wish to take day trips to explore the valleys, vineyards and wineries of Constantia, Stellenbosh, Paarl and Franschhoek.

Cape Town is frequently a starting point for visitors on the Garden Route, a 600-kilometre stretch of scenic small towns, wineries, farms and sea villages along the Indian Ocean. For more than a century visitors have enjoyed true South African hospitality as they meander up the coast enjoying the magnificent landscapes, beaches, golf estates and marine activities so abundant along this stretch of coast. Take your time, soak in the scenery, enjoy the cuisine and simply enjoy this unique South African experience.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

The Garden Route - You've most likely heard about the Garden Route, for this is one of the most magnificent, and scenic stretches of land in South Africa, if not the world, The Garden Route is a very popular and stretches from the southern coast of South Africa at Hermanus in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Some of the most popular towns along the route are Hermanus, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay however you will find small towns, wineries, farms and sea villages all along the route. Definitely take your time and your camera to explore the beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and bays along the route and take the time to enjoy the cuisine and especially meet the warm hospitable people of this scenic area.

If you are adventurous, you’ll find golf, scuba diving, abseiling, fishing, swimming, boating bridge and bungi-jumping, black water rafting, tubing and about any other sports activity you might enjoy.

The climate along the route ranges from moderately hot summers to mild and even chilly winters. Rainfall is quite high relative to the remainder of South Africa, especially in the winter months when precipitation is created by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean.

The Garden Route is squeezed between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean. The indigenous forests alon this route are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forest and offer all variets of woodland and eco-tourism activities. In addition to the vast nature reserves, you’ll also find marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life including the Southern Right Whale. A number of Southern Right Whale nurseries have been established along the route where the whale come to calve in the winter and spring (July to December).

Certainly the most popular exploration of the Garden Route is by automobile but you might want to take Africa's last remaining passenger steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe which runs regularly from George , via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and travels through some of the finest scenery in South Africa.

Beginning in Cape Town and proceeding toward Port Elizabeth, the more popular must see towns along the route include Hermanus, Mossel Bay, George Knysna and Plettenburg Bay.

Mossel Bay is about midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Originally called the "Bay of St. Blaize" by Bartholomeu Diaz, the village was renamed Mosselbaai or "Bay of Mussels" in 1601 by Dutch navigator Paulus van Caerden. Mossel Bay is a quaint unhurried town regardless of season. It’s a warm hospitable holiday resort in summer and the ideal retreat in winter due to it’s location on a spectacular sunwashed peninsula with long stretches of golden beaches which bask in the warmth of the Indian Ocean. Also called the "Karoo-by-the-Sea town", Mossel Bay is listed in the Guiness Book of Records as having the mildest all-year climate in the world, second only to Hawaii. But it's the fascinating history of Mossel Bay which gives the town its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route.

The first meeting ever between inhabitants of Europe and Africa on Southern African soil occurred at Mossel Bay in 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias set foot ashore and encountered the ancient Khoi-San people. In 1497 Vasco de Gama anchored in Mossel Bay and successfully traded with the local Khoi-San tribe making this the first trade between Europeons and South Africans.

The first Post Office in Southern Africa was founded at Mossel Bay when in 1500, Pedro de Ataide left a letter of importance in a shoe under a large milkwood tree. Mail is still posted at the ancient Post Office - today a national monument.

The first Christian chapel was erected in Southern Africa at Mossel Bay in 1501 when Joao da Nova erected a small stone prayer chapel dedicated to St Blaize.

Visitors, especially outdoor entusiasts, continue to be attracted to Mossel Bay by the climate, the sun-drenched beaches, the fine cuisine , the historical preservation of buildings of various architectural styles and the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. Today, Mossel Bay is the only working harbour for commercial and leisure craft along the Garden Route

George, located about halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth is the administrative capital of the Westere Cape Province and is a popular holiday and conference center. George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and the first founded under British rule and was named after the reigning monarch in 1811, King George III.

George with its population of about 90,000 has banks, conference facilities, businesses, major shopping chains, transport and sporting facilities, yet retains its small town and country atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

George has many historical landmarks to be visited such as The Slave Tree, an ancient English Oak planted by Landdrost (magistrate) van Kervel. It is now a national monument and is known as the Slave Tree because of the very large chain and lock embedded in the trunk.

Other attractions include the King Edward VII Library building is said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in George and the First Class School for girls which was started by Miss Christina Petronella van Niekerk, a "New Age" young lady with visions for the future which were very different to those ideas held by the conservative population of George at that time.

Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is South Africa's last scheduled mixed steam train service and operates on the Outeniqualand Preserved Railway between George and Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route. Opened in 1928 and declared a preserved line in July 1993, this train winds its way through some of the most picturesque scenery in the country. Here you’ll find the Outeniqua Transport Museum houses a large collection of steam locomotives and carriages dating back to bygone years.

Knysna , is situated on the edge of an extensive 18,000 hectare lagoon framed by two natural rock formations called the Knysna Heads. The town developed from a timber exporting port into a fashionable coastal retreat. The natural scenic setting attracted artists and visitors from around the world. There is something for every one to do in Knysna. For the adventurous there is abseiling, scuba diving or quad-biking. For the shopper, there are interesting shops tucked away around every corner and t he best way to enjoy Knysna is to stroll around town visiting the local souvenir shops, art galleries and coffee.

For the nature lover there are the forests, the mountains and the nature reserves. Knysna is a known as a birding destination because of its numerous habitats - water, marshes, fynbos, grasslands and forest species can all be viewed in a relatively small area. Knysna offers the widest range of accommodation, so that all tastes can be satisfied. Knysna is indeed a place of beauty.

Plettenberg Bay is considered by many to the the the jewel of The Garden Route. It's tranquil, charming and hospitable. It was originally christened "Bahia  Formosa" (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers and is characterised by a wonderful climate, fabulous towering forest landscapes and exquisite Indian Ocean seascapes. It is know for its wide sweeping golden beaches, dramatic rocky peninsula and quiet lagoons. Plettenberg Bay is perfect for an adventurous experience, inquisitive sightseeing tour or the relaxing getaway vacation.

Plettenberg Bay is famous for it’s whale watching. Although one can often see whales from the beach, the ideal vantage point is on an elevated ridge or high point overlooking the ocean. With a pair of binoculars the visitor can observe the the details of the whale and its fascinating behavior. In the Greater Plett Area, there are a number of good viewing sites.

Scenic drives are most enjoyable. Driving the area between Harkerville and the Tsitsikamma gives the visitor a real sense of the magnificent beauty of the Garden Route. This region consists of rugged coastline flanked by tall mountains, sea, rivers, estuaries, magnificent indigenous forests, hills, fynbos, and abundant wildlife. There are many popular scenic drives where one can see the full spectrum of the beauty of the area. Many visitors pack a picnic basket and enjoy a full days driving and hiking in the area. Regardless of where you go you will generally find tea gardens and dining locations along the way.

Throughout the area you will find various arts and craft shops with a wide of indigenous woodwork, furniture, miniatures, painting, sculpture, ceramics, craft, glass, graphics, photography and other crafts to capture your interests.

Kruger National Park - Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular major tourist activities in South Africa. And, while there are many excellent parks and game preserves in South Africa, the Kruger National Park and surrounding game preserves are among the finest in the world. Well-equipped to offer big five safaris, Kruger National Park includes a large number of accommodations and some of the best private game lodges and camps in the world. This famous park boasts over 140 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds, not to mention a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, flora and fauna. A wildlife wonderland, this enormous sanctuary and adjacent private game preserves is a must-see for any and every visitor to South Africa.

A number of private camps and lodges are available in the areas surrounding the Kruger National Park. The Sabi Sands area is renowned for being home to some of the best African game lodges in the world, bar none. These lodges are known worldwide for their exclusivity and top-of-the-range accommodation. Here, private safaris are simply par for the course, conducted by qualified rangers in open-air vehicles. These lodges are all about attention to detail, personal service and a true Out of Africa experience in unique comfort. On guided walks, drives or self-drive, visitors have the best chance of spotting the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) in this park or adjacent game preserves.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

Soweto - South of Johannesburg is a city developed as a township for black people under the apartheid system. Most of the struggle against apartheid was fought in and from Soweto. The name Soweto is an acronym, made up - in apartheid days - from the first letters of the words “south western township”.

Soweto is estimated to be inhabited by over two million people, with homes ranging from extravagant mansions to makeshift shacks. Soweto is a city of enterprise and cultural interaction. It is a popular tourist destination with sites such as Kliptown (where the Freedom Charter was drawn up), the home of former President Nelson Mandela, the Hector Petersen Memorial site, restaurants and shopping malls. It boasts one of the largest hospitals on the continent and the only African-owned private clinic.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

Pretoria/Tshwane - Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, which resides within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality - a cluster of metropolitan municipalities and councils that amalgamated in December 2002.  As administrative capital of the Republic, Pretoria is dominated by government services and the diplomatic corps of foreign representatives in South Africa.  

Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly beautiful in spring when the 50 000 jacarandas envelop the avenues in mauve. The city developed at a more sedate pace than Johannesburg, and the town planners had the foresight to include an abundance of open spaces. Pretoria has more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

An air of history pervades much of central Pretoria, especially Church Square, around which the city has grown.   Church Square is regarded by many as the cradle of the city and it is often the point of departure for historical sightseeing tours. Many buildings of historical and architectural importance have been retained or restored to their former splendour.

Declared a World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind west of Johannesburg includes, among its numerous sites, the Sterkfontein Caves, where anthropologist Dr Robert Broom discovered the skull of Mrs Ples, a three-million year-old hominid, in 1936. At the time she was thought to be the closest evidence the "missing link" to be found.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

The Drakensberg Mountains - stretch for hundreds of miles along the southeastern edge of the vast interior plateau. The highest peaks and most spectacular scenery are found in an area along the 60-mile boundary between Lesotho and Natal provinces where craggy pinnacles stand watch above sandstone foothills and rolling grasslands.

The lower layers of the range are sandstone caves which once provided dwellings for South Africa's earliest human inhabitants. Spectacular wall-paintings adorn many of the caves today. The name Drakensberg, literally Mountain of the Dragon, originates in an ancient legend of a cave-dwelling dragon. In most winters the peaks are covered in snow. The Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) range with it’s challenging peaks and cascading waterfalls, is the adventure tourist's playground and is perfect for photography, hiking and simple relaxation. Full of wildlife such as the eland, baboon and leopard, the Drakensberg will compete with anything the rest of the world has to offer.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

The Most Popular “Must See” Destinations Near South Africa

Botswana Okavango Delta | Botswana Chobe National Park

Victoria Falls | Mauritius | The Seychelles

Angolan rains between October and April feed the Delta. The floods which cross the border between Namibia and Botswana in December take almost nine months to reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) arriving sometime in July, This very slow flow is due to the lack of change in elevation. The drop of about 60 metres for every 450 kilometres traveled causes the delta’s water to dead ends in the Kalahari with over 95 per cent of the water eventually evaporating.

The delta’s area expands to over 16,000 square kilometres and contracts to less than 9,000 square kilometres in the low period. The wildlife follows the water as it travels through the delta. The wildlife starts to congregate on the

edge of the newly flooded areas, May through October.

The delta is home to a number of rare wildlife specie such as crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo and various bird life. Game viewing is best in the delta during the May-October period, as the wildlife concentrates along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out. The best time for birding is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are returning and the plants are flowering and green.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

Chobe has four main areas. First, the Chobe river frontage which stretches from Ngoma in the west, and extends towards Kasane with its rich river forest and marginal floodplain. This area is notable for its elephant and buffalo population during the dry season and a birder's paradise year round.

Second, the central pan speckled grass woodland around Nogatsaa is a little known area that attracts an abundance of game between August and October due to it’s retention of water well into the dry season. Eland viewing is very good in this area.

Third, the Linyanti wetlands and Linyanti Swamp in the north-western corner of Chobe is a secluded area that extends into the Selinda Reserve in the west and Namibia's remote Mamili National Park on the northern bank of the Kwando River. This area is relatively remote and inaccessible making it and great destination.

Finally, the Savuti region in the western corner of Chobe is one of Botswana's best-known wildlife areas. Savuti covers almost 5000 square kilometres and includes the Savuti Marsh and Channel, the Mababe Depression and Magwikhwe Sand Ridge all of which have been formed by tectonic movement. The area is well know for it’s Lion, hyeana and zebra migrations and also boasts many other predators and plains game species.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

The falls were visited and named after Queen Victoria by David Livingstone in 1855. The falls are known locally by the name Mosi-oa-Tunya, the "smoke that thunders". The falls are part of two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, and are one of Southern Africa's major tourist draws.

For a some distance distance above the falls, the Zambezi flows over a level sheet of basalt, in a valley of low sandstone hills. The river's course is dotted with numerous tree-clad islands especially near the falls.

The falls are formed as the Zambezi plummets into a narrow chasm about 120 m (400 ft) wide, carved by its waters along a fracture zone in the earth's crust. Numerous islets at the crest of the falls divide the water to form a series of falls. Over the centuries, the falls have been receding upstream, falling at different eras into numerous chasms which now form a series of sharply zig-zagging gorges downstream from the falls. The falling water generates spray and mist that can rise to heights of over a mile (1.6 km), and is visible from up to 40 km (25  miles) away.

In the wet season, the river discharges as much as 9,100 m³/s (320,000 ft³/s) of water and rolls over the main falls in an unbroken expanse. In the dry season the falls diminish to just a few narrow cascades, with the spray and mist almost absent and the flow reduced to as little as 350 m³/s (12,500 ft³/s).
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

Mauritius - is a Southern Africa island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Mauritius is a very cosmopolitan island. It has a mixture of diverse cultures and religions and the various political affiliations in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries have made Mauritius a unique blend of different races, cultures and religions. People of various ethnic origins have created a multiracial society where the various cultures and traditions flourish in peace and harmony.

Mauritius is a place where you can relax and be spoilt. Whether your idea of relaxing is lying on the beach, shopping or being pampered in one of the island’s many world class spas there is something for everyone. You’ll find some of the whitest beaches and swim in clearest water, or partake of a wide range of activities to relax and indulge yourself during your stay in Mauritius. For the more adventurous, there is golf as well as a variety of marine activities such a diving, deep sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. There are many exciting outdoor activities to enjoy in Mauritius including mountain climbing, trekking through the island’s vast forests and fields, going down waterfalls and quad biking.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa

The Seychelles - consists of 115 granitic and coralline islands spread across more than a million square metres of the Indian Ocean. Mahe, the main island is 1 600 kilometres east of Mombasa in Kenya. The islands are generally divided into two categories, the ‘inner islands’ which are near to Mahe, and the ‘outer islands’ which are the most distant. Some islands are closer to the coast of Africa than they are to the main island of Mahe.

There are three national languages - Creole, English and French - although many Seychellois speak other European languages such as Italian and German.

Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate year round. The temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees or rises above 33 degrees. From October to May the primary influence is the north-east trade winds which creates calm sea conditions and the weather is humid. From June to September, when the south-east trade winds blow, the weather is cooler and the sea is rougher, particularly on the south-eastern coast.

The Sainte Anne Resort and Spa is located on a private island within the 200-hectare Sainte Anne Marine Park. This small emerald island sits amid the deep blue of the Indian Ocean. Located adjacent to Mahe and only 5 km from Mahe’s international airport, the short boat transfer takes you to a beautiful, setting apart from the remainder of the world. At Sainte Anne Resort and Spa, all the villas are designed for outdoor living and careful attention has been paid to the guarantee of privacy: sea facing, on ground floor, with open terrace and/or gazebo. They are positioned for maximum appreciation of the view and protection from the prevailing winds. Each villa is accessed from a rear entrance, ensuring maximum privacy and the least disturbance from service staff.
Top of Page | Must See South Africa | Must See Southern Africa