Whatever it is you want from a vacation, South Africa has it. The Rainbow Nation offers everything from adrenaline rushes for thrill-seekers to astonishing wildlife for nature lovers; fabulous food, music and nightlife for party animals, and dramatic, unforgettable landscapes for hikers and photographers. It’s no wonder that, in the last couple of years, the country has become one of the most popular destinations on the planet. Let’s take a look at some of those highlights…
All-In-One: Sun City
The difficult part of visiting SA, if you have limited time (and who doesn’t?) is choosing what you want to see. The Sun City resort in the North West Province is a good choice for families, with plenty to occupy both kids and grown-ups. As well as excellent pool facilities, there are golf courses, stage shows and safari options as well as some of the country’s leading casinos. The gambling facilities range from the ever-popular slots to exclusive tables for high rollers. If family commitments don’t leave you with time to hang out in the casinos, you can use the resort’s Wi-Fi to play a few hands on your phone while you relax by the pool.
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Thrill-Seekers
For those with energy to burn, SA offers everything from deep-sea diving to abseiling. There are several locations where you can go white-water rafting, including the Western Cape’s Doring River, which during the winter months is a fast-flowing ride through fantastic mountain landscapes. For less experienced rafters, the Orange River is a good choice, with gentler waters and great bird-watching.
Eating
There’s excellent dining all over the country, and Cape Town offers cuisine both local and international. Most regions have their own specialities; Durban, for example, is known for its Indian influences. At the Jaipur Palace restaurant on Waterkant Road, you can choose a tempting buffet that includes local crab-based dishes as well as Durban’s very own Bunny Chow; a loaf of bread with the inside scooped out and filled with curry!
Wildlife
Safari options in the country are superb. Kruger National Park is SA’s most visited reserve, covering around 7,500 square miles in the north-east. The park is home to over 5,000 giraffes and 3,000 hippos, as well as zebras, lions and both black and white rhinos. There are over 20 camps, so if you want to bring the cost of your visit down, bring a tent!
Cape Town & Wine Regions
Finally, for a more relaxed trip, try combining a visit to the wine growing regions with a stay in Cape Town. A boat trip from the city to Robben Island is an unforgettable way to see how Nelson Mandela was forced to live for 18 years; it’s also an extraordinary place from which to view Table Mountain. The wine regions extend all around the city, with Stellenbosch perhaps the most famous, but lesser-known areas like Tulbagh are also well worth visiting – and surprisingly inexpensive.
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Photos: Reuters/Daily Mail