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.

Our selected regions in South Africa...

	Cape Winelands Whether it is its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage or its world-renowned wines, the Winelands Region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer. A 45-minute drive from Cape Town brings you to this area where splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop to lush vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history.
	Eastern Cape Superb game, wonderful cultural destinations and a range of adventure activities, including South Africa's only ski resort, offer you something a little out of the ordinary, while beautiful beaches, great golf courses and attractive towns will ensure you can relax and enjoy one of the quieter regions in the country that sits at the end of the garden route. Malaria free game viewing is a big bonus.
	Free State This tranquil land is the geographic and agricultural centre of South Africa. However, The Free State is fast becoming a tourist destination in its own right. Famous for its warm South African hospitality, `boerekos' (traditional Afrikaner farm-style cuisine) and decidedly slower-paced lifestyle, this province has become a draw-card for holiday-makers intent on exploring small-town South Africa.
	Gauteng Gauteng is where the creative spirit of a nation converges in a dense, cultural heartland. It is the intersection of African and global trade - incorporating Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto. Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life, from all corners of the world.
	KwaZulu Natal - Coastal Region Throughout the year, holidaymakers flock to their favourite coastal haunts to cultivate a tan, ride the waves, eat, drink and generally have fun. Besides sweeping beaches and calm lagoons where surfing, snorkelling, fishing and swimming are enjoyed, visitors can play golf, bowls and tennis or just soak up the sun. The capital city, Durban, is a bustling seaport and a cultural melting pot.
	KwaZulu Natal - Interior Region KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa's favorite holiday destinations due to the year-round pleasant climate, fantastic beaches and warm Indian Ocean.
	Limpopo Province Now called The Limpopo Province, this region offers so much to do. The game viewing is absolutely fantastic and possibly the best in the country. Spectacular mountain scenery beckons hikers, climbers and bikers alike, while mystic cultural destinations intrigue visitors and non-local South Africans. Private game reserves and quiet country house hotels offer some of the country's best accommodation.
	Mpumalanga Province There are so many wildlife destinations in this lovely province you could be excused for thinking there is nothing else. But that would be wrong. Wonderful hiking, beautiful scenery, rafting, fly-fishing and many attractive small towns make this a generally wonderful holiday destination that is ideal for families, honeymooners and those looking for a great bush experience.
	North West Province Close to Johannesburg, The Northwest Province has a number of wonderful little hideaway spots - including the magnificent malaria-free Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves. And, of course, the improbable Sun City attracts gamblers, golfers and sightseers alike.
	Northern Cape Province Wide-open spaces, enormous skies, thundering waterfalls and spectacular game are the hallmarks of this arid province. In spring, a carpet of blooms softens the desert as far as the eye can see.
	The Garden Route Where ever you are, you've most probably heard about the Garden Route, and rightly so, for this is one of the most magnificent, awe-inspiring stretches of land in South Africa, with majestic mountains, breathtaking views, a natural garden of rich, colourful vistas, a paradise for bird-lovers and nature lovers, an eco-destination like few others in the world, with miles upon miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches and many things to do and see.
	Trains For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. This 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo and the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape.
	Western Cape Vibrant Cape Town nestling under Table Mountain, with its history and beaches is the perfect destination for any visitor, whilst the nearby Winelands host internationally recognised cellars that offer tastings and purchase of noble cultivars. Along the Garden Route, forests, boutique hotels, restaurants, golf courses, malaria free game viewing and endless sandy beaches make this area a must when visiting South Africa.

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