Big game, big skies, and big smiles. That’s South Africa for you. And no African safari tour worth its salt would be complete without all three. South Africa’s breath-taking scenery, luxury lodges, fine wining and dining, and warm, welcoming culture secure its veritable VIP status in the gospel according to Condé Nast.
South Africa – the Lay of the land
While South Africa’s history tells an often-tragic tale of colonisation and tribal warfare, its modern-day successes and ubuntu philosophies are testament to its tenacity and diamond-like strength of character.
Hugged by 1,739 miles of pristine coast line, the country anchors Africa to two vast oceans, whose currents – like many of its well-heeled admirers – intermingle at its southernmost tip. From the grasslands of the Kruger to the craggy Drakensberg mountains, and from the remote red sands of the Kalahari to Cape Town’s bustling white beaches, this is a land of contrasts. And there’s simply never enough time to experience them all. Which is why you’ll have to come back for another South African safari trip.
Five-star Big Five
South Africa is world renowned for its high-octane safaris and multi-award-winning hospitality, there’s nowhere better to get up close and personal with the Big Five in serious style.
From the mighty Kruger National Park, with its reputation for unrivalled game densities, to the malaria-free private reserves of the Northern and Eastern Cape, and the downright beautiful Phinda, you’ll find adventure and romance in equal measure. It’s a wilderness that really touches your soul.
South Africa’s five-star, solar-powered safaris are champions of sustainable travel, with a notable focus on the welfare of their communities and a reputation for top-notch, locally-sourced ingredients. (To say nothing of the cellars that burst with award-winning wines from just around the corner in Cape Town’s winelands.)
Catch your breath
South Africa takes its downtime very seriously. When you’re not tracking black rhino on foot or tearing across the savannah on a 4×4 at sunrise, Joburg’s leafy northern suburbs and gallery-lined streets make for the perfect breath-catching pit stop on the way to absolutely anywhere – from the Kalahari to the Indian Ocean islands.
Alternatively, top and tail your safari with some R&R in Africa’s foodie capital, our beloved Cape Town. With its white beaches, unique fynbos biome and rolling winelands, Cape Town is hands-down the most beautiful city in the entire world. This is a hill we’ll die on. (Don’t worry, we don’t mean Table Mountain – that’s super safe.) Art lovers and oenophiles can add impressive pieces to their collections back home. And history buffs can trace the fascinating adversities and triumphs that shaped this proud nation.
Whether it’s your first or fifty-first time in South Africa, there’s always another revelation, another heartbreakingly beautiful landscape and other corner to uncover.
