Unremitting sunshine by day, skies studded with the stars of the Milky Way by night. South Africa is a perfect backdrop for a holiday designed to get you away from the grind.
Revisit the past in a traditional Zulu village. Wander lonely as a cloud in the mountainous landscapes of the Drakensberg. Mingle with modern crowds in the heart of Cape Town’s Waterfront.
Whether it’s the gleam of the sun on a watering hole in the wild, or the glitter of gold and diamond jewelery, South Africa has something for everyone.
SAFARI CAMPS
The Game Lodges are probably the prime attraction in this multi-faceted country, and there are packages for every pocket. They’re clustered through the main game parks, so you’re going to see the same animals no matter where you stay. You’re paying for levels of comfort and luxury, and not the sights.
The must-haves are guided morning and evening game drives supervised by experienced game rangers, and a “hide”, a place where you can hide in a partly underground construction to watch birds and animals that are completely unaware of your presence. Guided game walks where you get up close to flora and fauna are nice, but not essential.
The Sabi Sabi camps are expensive but very luxurious. (http://www.sabisabi.com/)
Honeyguide has tents that get you close to the feel of the African wildlife, with all the mod cons of a hotel room. (http://www.honeyguidecamp.com /)
CAPE TOWN
Everybody loves Cape Town. There’s something magnetic about the combination of Table Mountain and the sea that draws all comers to this picturesque city. The beaches are warm, the water is cold, and celebrities soak up the sunshine incognito. It’s cosmopolitan and the crowds flock to The Waterfront. But don’t stop here. The winelands are on your doorstep, and all you have to do is arrive.
WINELANDS
It may seems strange to arrive at someone’s home, walk in and demand a glass of wine, but many of the wine farm visits feel just like that! Some are more sophisticated, with special tasting rooms. Others have restaurants or sell picnic baskets which you can enjoy on the grass with a bottle of wine. Check out the wine tours – nobody wants to be the designated driver!
KIMBERLEY
Never heard of it? It’s where you’ll find one of the world’s largest open cast diamond mines, The Big Hole. The gaping crater was once used as a dump for debris, and there’s quite a lot of ground water now, but it’s still a sight to see! The fascinating