Travel highlights South Africa

Cape Town
Warmed by the African sun, with a towering, table-shaped mountain as a stunning backdrop, Cape Town offers a myriad things to do and places to see. In addition to hiking, hang gliding, surfing and sailing, there are also thousands of shops which line the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and boating trips can take visitors across to historical Robben Island for sightseeing and tours. It's a city of immense natural beauty, and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban centre meld effortlessly here.

Drakensberg
A thousand kilometres of mountain majesty, the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) range is the adventure's playground. The Afrikaners call them the Drakensberg -- the Dragon Mountains. They form the highest mountain range in South Africa, the site of some of the country's most beautiful scenery. In addition to hiking and simply drinking in the beauty of the natural surroundings, visitors to the Drakensberg region can watch talented artists at work. It is also perfect for nature photography, easy walking and simple relaxation. Full of game sanctuaries, Bushman rock art sites, challenging peaks and cascading waterfalls, the views in the Drakensberg will compete with anything the rest of the world has to offer.

Durban
This subtropical city is an excellent choice for beachgoers looking for a nice spot in South Africa. A diversity of cultures, including a large number of Indians, make up the population, while year-round warm weather brings great surfing and diving opportunities. Other attractions include the rotating Roma restaurant, uShaka Aquarium and the Golden Mile beach stretch.

Garden Route
From Cape Town along the coast to the Tsitsikamma Forest, this 600-kilometre stretch of small towns, wineries, farms and sea villages has been a traveller's delight for more than a century.

Kruger Area
Kruger Park is the greatest of South Africa's many national parks. 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, as well as an abundance of other wildlife. Many of the trails offer wilderness sites untouched by humans.

KwaZulu Natal
Some of Africa's most famous game and nature reserves are in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa.

Soweto
Just South of Johannesburg lies Soweto - the largest of South Africa's "townships". This vibrant city is home to some 2 million people and a number of historical sights. A typical visit to Soweto includes a stop at a traditional shebeen (drinking hall), where you can savour local beer, food and hospitality, as well as a visit to the homes where Nobel laureates Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived.

Stellenbosch
Known as City of Oaks, Stellenbosch is a delightfully charming college town lined with gorgeous oak trees and teeming with activity. To expand your knowledge of fine wines you can enjoy the Stellenbosch Valley, one of three wine valleys in South Africa that make up the Cape Winelands. With over 100 beautiful vineyards, Stellenbosch is bound to leave travellers with a pleasant taste in their mouths.