South Africa Destination Guide

South Africa's successful staging of the 2010 FIFA World Cup brought its cities and regions into the limelight. This is a country with a huge personality, reflected in the warmth of their people and the spirit of community that prevails from north to south. From the heights of Cape Town’s beautiful Table Mountain to the starkly stunning straits of its vast, open big cat game reserves, this epic country surely holds a lure for everyone.  Encounter breathtaking scenery along the Garden Route, the world class vineyards of the Winelands, the historical battlefields of the Zulu warriors, picturesque towns like Hermanus, family fun resorts like Sun City…the list is almost endless. Potential visitors need not feel overawed, as Destinology can tailor make your trip to include Cape Town as well as a safari, wine tasting or cultural visit.
 

South Africa Attractions

Cape Town: Table Mountain & V&A Waterfront
Get into the revolving cable car or tighten those hiking boots for the climb of your life, ascending to the summit and remembering to stop and admire the views over Camps Bay. You can even avoid the walk back by abseiling down to the bottom. The less brave can spend the afternoon perusing the luxury boutiques or dining at Cape Town’s scenic V&A Waterfront. See our Cape Town Waterfront hotels or read more about the views in and around Cape Town.   
Klein Karoo: Cango Caves
The only show cave in Africa is open for both standard (easy) and adventure (more challenging) tours. These fine dripstone caverns offer dramatic adventure and scenic wonder. The adventure tour will have you crouching, crawling and hysterically laughing as you squeeze through impossible gaps and passageways.
Cape Winelands
Part of South Africa’s appeal lies in the blooming vineyards of places like Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and Kirstenbosch. These accessible wine trails can be experienced by everyone with tasting opportunities aplenty. Some of the scenery here will captivate and inspire you on a memorable journey of discovery.  See our full day Winelands tour here

South Africa Excursions

City Tours
Book a city tour in Cape Town or Johannesburg and get the very best out of your trip, with key sights and attractions covered. Further information on all tours in South Africa can be found here.
Dive with crocodiles or sharks!
One for the adrenalin junkies! Head to Oudtshoorn to cage dive with Nile crocs (you can twin this with a trip to Cango Caves) or head over to the Cape Overberg region of the Western Cape and get up close and personal with the great white shark behind the comfort of a reinforced cage.  Or choose our dive with sharks package trip near Dyer Island.
Safari
Lots of safari options from day trip excursions to package deals at dedicated lodges. See lions, African elephant, Cape Buffalo, leopard and black rhino in their natural habitat with scheduled morning and afternoon game drives. .See our dedicated tour page here
Robben Island
Experience a trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held captive. The prison on the island can be enjoyed as part of a day trip from Cape Town. Click here for further information on the tour

South Africa Shopping

The best shopping can be experienced at Cape Town, most notably at the V&A Waterfront where over 450 retail outlets make it the countries most popular destination for retail therapy. From urban fashion to local arts and crafts, you won’t be left disappointed with a trip here. If you are in Cape Town for any length of time, you can also visit Camps Bay for a collection of more intimate, one of-a-kind stores. Famous shopping malls across the country include Port Elizabeth’s Greenacres (a 1km long complex), the Riverside Mall in Nelspruit (great if you’re heading to or from a Kruger lodge), Durban’s Waterfront or Hatfield Plaza in Pretoria.
 

South Africa Restaurants

Nobu & Maze@ One&Only, Cape Town
This 5* Deluxe hotel features not one but two internationally recognised restaurants. There’s Japanese persuasion at Nobu Matsuhisa’s celebrated intimate hideaway or Maze by Gordon Ramsay for an extravaganza of exquisite dishes from the famous Michelin starred chef.  See this Cape Town hotel page.
Zachary’s at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Knysna, Garden Route
World class gourmet food with scenic terrace located on the Pezula Private Estate, where you’ll need a reservation. A private dining area is available for large functions or you can enjoy the breathtaking views with an al fresco meal with over 1000 wines to choose from. See the Pezula Resort hotel page.
Barouche at Blaauwklippen, Stellenbosch
Escape the hotels and dine at this independent restaurant with meals from Executive Chef Hanele Rabe. Modern and traditional Cape fare is served here supported by fabulous wines from the region.
 

South Africa Bars & Nightlife

Caprice / Sandbar: Camps Bay, Cape Town
Both of these bars are located on the Camps Bay strip and offer cocktails and sundowners in a trendy, young environment. Local DJ’s provide the music into the evening. If you’re staying in central Cape Town, head to Long Street for a mixture of bars.
Asoka, Kloof Street, Cape Town
Sophisticated lounge bar housed within a slender Victorian town house on busy Kloof Street. It’s a classy establishment attractively decorated with denim upholstery and artist-designed chandeliers. Also features a central courtyard dining area with feature olive tree. In addition to the main bar near the entrance, there’s a champagne-martini-vodka bar in the rear.
Parliament Street@ Port Elizabeth
This is a well known night spot venue dotted with bars and clubs offering well priced drinks and a real party atmosphere. Read our South Africa Holidays 2011 blog.

South Africa Family Attractions

Sun City
This family orientated resort features a whole range of casino and slot machine venues that will accept families with children. There are games, shows and entertainment programmes that run into the evening here to keep everyone happy.  See Sun City hotels.
See the Penguins at Boulders Beach, Simonstown, Cape Town
Spend a day at the beach with the children and you can even swim with these beautiful creatures after visiting the world famous penguin colony.
Child Friendly Safari Lodges:
The following lodges offer a child friendly environment where kids can enjoy the thrill of a safari with their parents.

Jock Safari Lodge, Kruger
Jaci's Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve
Sir Richard Branson's Ulusaba Rock Lodge, Kruger
Shamwari Long Lee Manor, Shamwari Game Reserve
Bakubung Bush Lodge, Pilansberg

Other South Africa Travel Information

Currency: South African Rand (SAR)
Language: National language is Afrikaans, English is widely spoken
Flight time: London Heathrow – Johannesburg: 11hrs
Time Difference:+1 in summer from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)