An ideal country to visit year round on a self-drive basis, in a group, on a special interest or special activity holiday. South Africa really is a whole world in one country. European city life, western culture, modern health care, a well maintained network of roads and a functioning economy are combined with the ancient beauty of the nature and traditional culture of the African continent, which never fails to enchant its visitors with its unique wealth of plants and animals.

From Cape Town in the West, the celebrated Winelands and along the Garden Route as far as East London in The Eastern Cape, this area of South Africa offers so much for the visitor. Known locally as "The Last Outpost" Kwa-Zulu Natal is steeped in history and offers visitors the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains, countless country house hotels in the Midlands together with excellent game viewing, fishing and some of the country's best golf courses. The area offers some of the best game viewing and wetland areas of South Africa and of course some of the best beaches.

Within easy access of Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas is home to some of South Africa's most luxurious hotels and game lodges and offers high profile game viewing that is hard to beat. Hiking, trout fishing and horse riding complement each other to ensure that this area is normally number one on any visitor's list. Sun City and malaria free game viewing in The Pilanesberg and Madikwe National Park's are all within two hours drive of Johannesburg. Combine this with world-class hotels, unique cultural experiences and fabulous shopping in Johannesburg and you have the start or finish to a superb South African holiday.

Best time for visiting South Africa ...

• Cape: best time: September - March / good time: April - May,
• Bush: best time: March - October / good time: November - February,
• Kwa-Zulu Natal: best time: Sept - March / good time: April - August