South Africa

Few countries rival South Africa's scenic splendor, rolling farmlands, fertile vineyards, traditional tribal villages and 20th century skylines. It is a country blessed with beauty, spectacular mountains, a prodigious floral kingdom, fishing harbors, broad white beaches all surrounded by a sapphire sea. A coastline dotted with tranquil beaches and charming seaside resorts from Mozambique to the mouth of the Orange River. Great contrasts from the Karoo's Valley of desolation to Namaqualand transformed in the spring by a blaze of brilliant blooms, from the craggy Drakensberg Mountains to the imposing golden cliffs of the north-eastern highlands.

The countries friendly hospitality is legendary and accommodation standards are high. Wherever you go be assured of a warm welcome, comfort, good service, excellent food and fine wines. Gracious Cape Dutch buildings recall the leisurely charm of vanished eras and the origins of the earliest settlers. In far flung areas tribal people inhabit beehive huts, tilling the soil and herding cattle, ever mindful of the ancestral spirits. The country's rich multicultural mix is strikingly reflected on its restaurant menus: Traditional Cape Malay dishes, Natal's spicy Indian heritage, pizza/pasta parlours, and French, Portuguese, Greek, German, Chinese and Japanese eateries.

In habitats from desert dunelands to savannah lands and shady subtropical forests, South Africa's game reserves are inhabited by an unparalleled variety of animal and bird species. Major scene-stealers are probably the elephant, lion, leopard buffalo and rhino ( The Big Five ). However, you don't want to miss the Kudu peaking from the forest at dusk and the golden orb spiders large web glistening as dawn breaks and casts it light. Experienced rangers familiar with the foibles of the innumerable inhabitants of the bush are only too happy to share their anecdotes with you. Provincial and National Parks, Luxurious privately owned game lodges, offer a variety of accommodation so you can rough it or live it up. An incomparable experience awaits you in the South African wilderness.