Whether you’re yearning for a big five experience, beach break, family getaway or honeymoon, South Africa ticks every box. Making it the perfect destination to give a gift for a birthday, Christmas or wedding.
As you hurtle along the track-like roads you will catch glimpses of giraffes or a troop of vervet monkeys playing in the trees. When the driving stops, you step out into this incredible space that seems alive with quiet energy, a kind of calm connectedness with life. As you scan the horizon looking for all signs of life. Then suddenly, movement. Your heart starts to beat that little bit faster. You squeeze your eyes together to sharpen your focus and there they are - the dark spots of a beautiful leopard.
Getting so close to nature in the wild is spine-tingling and needs to be experienced to be believed. If you’re going to do it anywhere, the South African plains are one of the best places to find some of the most exotic animals on the planet. Boasting 700 publicly owned reserves, 200 private reserves and 19 National Parks, the opportunities for safari are endless.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience unrivalled across the continent. Boasting two million hectares of land, the park has an array of species, terrains and biosystems. Kruger hosts 507 bird species, 147 types of mammal, as well as 114 different reptiles - so there is plenty to see. The vastness certainly increases your chances of witnessing the big five, it's the park for all wildlife enthusiasts.
Shamwari Game Reserve has consistently been voted the world's leading safari and game reserve for conservation. In the last 25 years, 25,000 hectares of land have been rehabilitated resulting in the reintroduction of a variety of extinct species. Shamwari’s location forms a natural extension to the famous garden route and the fact that the park is malaria-free is a real bonus!
Sabi Sand Game Reserve is where you will find the incomparable Lion Sands, arguably the leading luxury reserve in South Africa. On the border of two parks, it is home to the largest concentration of wild animals in the southern hemisphere. For couples and honeymooners who yearn to get close to the wildlife whilst relaxing in deluxe accommodation, this is the place to be.
Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa but one of the lesser-known parks. With no day visitors allowed, the number of cars in the park is heavily reduced. It’s a real hidden gem perfect for that quieter safari experience.
Opportunities to experience nature don’t end with safari, they really are just the beginning. The Western Cape is a treasure trove of fun and intrigue with beautiful beaches, the abundant vineyards of the Stellenbosch region and rugged cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope. The forests and waterways along the Garden Route and the city of Cape Town beneath the magnificent Table Mountain are every bit magnificent.
Breathtakingly dramatic landscapes can be found the length and breadth of South Africa. Following the Garden and Panorama routes are the two best ways to discover amazing destinations and tap into nature. The Blyde River Canyon is recognised as being the largest ‘green canyon’ in the world. Situated on the famous Panorama Route, the area is home to a number of waterfalls, boasts rich birdlife and is a hiker’s utopia. Along the Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park stretches over 80 kilometres and among its many treasures, you’ll find the famous Storms River Suspension Bridge and stunning deep gorges.
The waters surrounding South Africa offer as much diversity as the savannah. There is eight whale species native to the region, including the killer and blue whale. Dolphins can be seen at Plettenberg Bay and sharks also frequent the waters. Seeing the apex predator of the marine kingdom in its natural habitat is without a doubt one of the most adrenaline-fuelled and yet humbling experiences you can have. The Western Cape is one of the world's preeminent locations to get up close and personal with the Great White Shark. Colonies of penguins can be found on both the eastern and western capes of South Africa. Most famously at Boulders Beach, a 3000 strong colony can be seen year-round from both the boardwalk or as you are heading down to the beach.
Your visit to South Africa is a great chance to dip deeper into this country’s fascinating history. Learn about the apartheid era in museums from Johannesburg to Robben Island. Although not lighthearted, these houses of history give extraordinarily powerful accounts and insights into the formation and fabric of South African society. And you can dive even deeper into the cultural diversity and heritage of the people with a visit to well-known townships; Soweto on the outskirts of Jo’Burg and Langa in the heart of Cape Town.
South Africa is undoubtedly one of the worlds must-see destinations and worthy of any bucket list, most notably for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural diversity along with the opportunity to sight amazing creatures on safari in the Savannah or scouting out at sea.
