Located about an hour away drive from Port Elizabeth, Addo is a little town, which is completely overshadowed by the world-renowned Addo Elephant Park, offering accommodation and a place to shop before visiting the main attraction - the elephants. Lying in the Sundays River Valley and being surrounded by the Zuurberg Mountains, the town offers a variety of activities ranging from citrus farm and pack house tours to close encounters with local reptiles and birds of prey as well as winter polo tournaments. Addo Elephant National Park is rated one of the best places in Africa to see elephants up close. It's also one of the most diverse reserves on earth, encompassing several ecosystems and boasting the Big 5 as well as whales and great white sharks.

The great climate, the breathtaking natural setting, and well-developed infrastructure make Cape Town one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. A harmonious blend of architectural styles with Edwardian, Victorian, Islamic and Dutch buildings meticulously preserved between the high-rise office blocks, enhance the cosmopolitan ambiance of the city. With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop and the blend of 2 oceans (the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean) and hence 2 different styles of beach, Cape Town is an unrivaled holiday destination. The city also encloses the 36 hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden that contains protected natural forest. There are over 7000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many rare and threatened species of the Cape Floristic Region. In 2004 this Region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Durban is famous as the busiest port in South Africa but also as the most popular domestic holiday city because of the city's warm subtropical climate. It has miles of soft, sandy swimming beaches, great surfing and warm weather all year round. There's everything from B&Bs to world-class hotels, and you'll never get bored. Durban offers an excellent mix of design, art, music and food ? peppered with fascinating cultural influences. Even in winter there's a lot to experience, especially with snow-capped mountains, top game reserves, country meanders and loads of other top attractions nearby.

Situated between the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal and bordered by the Orange River and Drakensberg Mountains, Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Some of the country's most powerful political figures, like Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, were born here and the capital city, Port Elizabeth, was a crucial center of the anti-apartheid movement. The landscape is extremely diverse. The western interior is largely arid Karoo, while the east is well-watered and green. The Eastern Cape offers a wide array of attractions, including 800 km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some particularly splendid beaches. The province is home to South Africa's only ski resort, Tiffindell, which is situated near the hamlet of Rhodes in the Southern Drakensberg on the slopes of the highest mountain peak in the Eastern Cape (3001 m).

Nestled between towering mountains and the beautiful Cape wine lands, lays Franschhoek one of the oldest towns of the Republic of South Africa. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, this picturesque town is the ideal base to explore the entire Cape wine lands. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and top chefs create international cuisine. There are more award-winning restaurants concentrated here than anywhere else in the country but also a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, and large cellars that offer organized tours and conducted wine-tastings. For the more energetic visitors there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains, cycling and horse-riding. There are also a number of trout fishing spots in various streams and dams on the surrounding farms.

The Garden Route includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, the starting point of which is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay culminating in the Tstisikamma Forest - a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and bird life. Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber -coloured rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience when visiting the Garden Route in South Africa. The Garden Route stretches on the southern coast from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible; scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more. The Tsitsikamma National Park, perched on a tumultuous Indian Ocean shore is one of South Africa's most dramatic protected areas, combining marine and land attractions. Its indigenous forests are a haven for birdlife. One of the most geologically interesting parts of South Africa is the Klein Karoo, with its towering mountains and sheer gorges. An important geological feature is the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone, situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions. Oudtshoorn itself, the heart of the ostrich feather industry when it was in its hey day the late 1800s and early 1900s, is well worth a visit. The grandiose, old feather palaces are still to be seen, while ostrich farms, now involved in the commercial production of meat, leather, eggs and feathers, can be toured, with the possibility of riding an ostrich.

Lying in the north-eastern corner of Mpumalanga province, Hazyview and its surrounds offer among the most exciting line-up of adventure activities in South Africa's tourist destinations. Zip slides, big swings, bridge jumps, quad biking, rock jumping and river rafting will set your heart racing. The Sabie River dominates the area, including the neighboring towns of Sabie and Graskop. The Skyway Trail, Africa's longest aerial cable trail, is a major Hazyview attraction. It takes you 1.2 kilometers down into the Sabie River valley basin, through spectacular indigenous forests, past streams and among abundant bird and wildlife.

Located in the heart of the Whale Route, on the Cape south coast, Hermanus has developed from a rustic whaling and fishing village into one ofthe world's best whale-viewing sites from June to November. It's also home to the world's only Whale Crier, who signals whale locations using a kelp horn.This area of the Cape South Coast is of such beauty and botanical significance that, in 1998, it became the first UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve in Southern Africa. You will be charmed by Hermanus? scenic beauty complemented by fine restaurants, numerous art galleries, boutiques, and shops. Nature enthusiasts can choose from a multitude of outdoor and adventure activities such as golf, tennis, squash, bowls, canoeing, yachting, diving and surfing. For those who need the adrenalin rushes there are the thrills of hang gliding and powerboat racing.

Located in the Limpopo province, the small town of Hoedspruit is reachable via railway line from Tzaneen to Kaapmuiden. Its relative vicinity to the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon makes it tourist appealing. The main attraction is The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center, a real animal sanctuary hosting a large variety of species. Started by a true animal lover named Lente Roode, the Center is now used for both research and helping injured animals. You may find here cheetahs, wild dogs, sable antelope African wild cats, graceful blue cranes, comical ground horn bills and a lot of rare birds, to name just a few.

Johannesburg is the center of a large metropolitan area in the wealthiest South-African region, Gauteng. Served by 2 international airports, the city is mostly known as a gold and diamond trade source. However, it also developed its touristic side, being the main transit point for the flights to the main South-African attractions. History (Apartheid Museum, Hector Pieterson Museum), art (Johannesburg Art Gallery, Museum Africa) and entertainment (Gold Reef City amusement park, Zoo park) are just 3 reasons to spend a few days in the city. But maybe the most picturesque site lies 25 km Northwest of the city - it is the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Cradle of Humankind", hosting fossils of the first humanoids.

The town of Knysna lies on the shore of a large estuary, in a wonderful landscape that includes "The Heads," "The Map Stones" and the large temperate rain forest covering the land up to the Outenigua Mountains. In addition to the real natural paradise uncovering in this Garden Route's destination, Knysna has something to offer to each tourist: nature adventure (like tracking the mysterious forest elephant) - ferry or yacht trips, romantic sunsets on the estuary, the haute cuisine and many golf courses.

The Kruger National Park is not just about big game. There are wilderness areas of great natural beauty where you can discover unique forests, brilliant birding and traces of early humankind. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers an amazing wildlife experience. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park boasts nearly 2 million hectares. Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 507 birds, 336 trees, 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 49 fish and 34 amphibians. It's one of the few places where fever tree forests grow side by side with forests of giant baobabs. The trees line the banks of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers: the slim, pale, luminescent green trunks of the fever trees glimmering between the massive dark brown trunks of the baobabs. When you stay at Pafuri Camp, one of the Kruger Park's private lodges, you're in the ancestral lands of the Makuleke people, who, in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, act as custodians and landlords of this wildly beautiful area. Well over a million years ago, Homo erectus walked and lived here. You'd find Stone-Age hand-axes and unexcavated dinosaur fossils.

The Kruger National Park is not just about big game. There are wilderness areas of great natural beauty where you can discover unique forests, brilliant birding and traces of early humankind. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers an amazing wildlife experience. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park boasts nearly 2 million hectares. Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 507 birds, 336 trees, 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 49 fish and 34 amphibians. It's one of the few places where fever tree forests grow side by side with forests of giant baobabs. The trees line the banks of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers: the slim, pale, luminescent green trunks of the fever trees glimmering between the massive dark brown trunks of the baobabs. When you stay at Pafuri Camp, one of the Kruger Park's private lodges, you're in the ancestral lands of the Makuleke people, who, in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, act as custodians and landlords of this wildly beautiful area. Well over a million years ago, Homo erectus walked and lived here. You'd find Stone-Age hand-axes and unexcavated dinosaur fossils.

Botswana's tourism capital lies on the southern fringes of the Okavango Delta, and still, despite recent modernisations, carries the feeling of a dusty, frontier town. For many tourists, Maun is the point of entry into the Delta, and often into Botswana, with direct flights from both Johannesburg and Gaborone. Frequently, the 'people' side of the Okavango is overlooked, with tourists merely using Maun as a transit point to embark for the Delta. However, exploring the traditional villages along the western fringes of the Delta, in the panhandle area, is worth the time and effort, and for many tourists, becomes a real highlight of their travels in Botswana. The dramatic surge in the numbers of tourists coming to Botswana in the 1980's brought equally dramatic changes to Maun. Safari companies abound, and their signposts dot the sandy parking lots. Modern malls, shops, hotels and guesthouses have sprung up everywhere; and now virtually any food item ? from champagne, French cheeses, and chocolates down to commonplace necessities ? can be purchased. Today you can enjoy wilderness and wildlife by day and watch high tech DVD's by night, or walk into old government offices straight out of the colonial era. Meanwhile, the timeless Thamalakane River meanders lazily through the town, setting the scene and mood for what lies ahead.

Mossel Bay is an authentic South-African seaside town, a mandatory stop along the Garden Route on the Western Cape Province. It's a resort for everybody, no matter the budget - seaside lovers or mountain enthusiastic will all find a welcoming place to stay. The Indian Ocean beach is perfect for both lazing in the sun and whale and dolphin watching (June to October). Adrenaline seekers will find the surfing, 4x4 trails or shark-cage diving as irresistible challenges. The Outeniqua Mountains are the perfect backdrop of this relaxing resort, whose motto really is "No hurries, no worries". Besides, Mossel Bay does not slight the urban facilities one may search for, like shops, museums and restaurants.

Mpumalanga is an Eastern region of South-Africa, known as "the place where the sun rises". This land hosts the most famous game reserve and is full of tribal legends and more stories about the 19^th century gold rush era. The geographic diversity is impressive, as you may find here basically everything - from high mountains crossed by panoramic passes and valleys to large plains, rivers and waterfalls, all hosting a rich wildlife. Certain superlatives may be found here, like the oldest known cave, the world's third-highest canyon and the best private game lodges. There's surely no chance for a nature lover to get bored between bird-watching, hiking, fishing or horse-riding.

Often seen as the gateway to Kruger National Park, Nelspruit is certainly more than that. The capital of Mpumalanga province lies on the Crocodile River, in the northeastern South Africa. A helicopter round may open your appetite for the various natural attraction Nelspruit has to offer. Be sure you don't miss a walk into the world's oldest caves at Sudwala, where a dinosaur park is a fascinating simulation of the world as it was in pre-historical times. The Lowveld Botanical Garden is unique by its high variety of indigenous plants and the man-made rain forest. Animal lovers seeking something special and really emotional should visit the chimpanzee rehabilitation center. The many citrus farms around the area ensure a tropical feast for any tourist.

The capital of Klein Karoo region, Outdshoorn is famously known as the "ostrich capital of the world", so it's clearly the perfect place to get in contact with the world's largest birds at one of the many farms. Tourism is mainly relying on the natural attractions, topped by the Cango Caves, some 1600m long caverns sculptures by nature with magnificent limestone formations. Besides, the Swartberg Mountains nearby are part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site. Nature and adventure lovers will find endless opportunities and challenges: a date with a Cheetah or wild Meerkats, a safari or a scenic drive, caving, ballooning - you just have to pick activities as you wish.

Passing through the region of Mpumalanga, you may want to stop in the small village called Pilgrim's Rest. Its "rich" history starts in 1873, with the discovery of alluvial gold; soon after that, it was declared "a gold field" and quickly developed into a real village. Its name symbolically marks the happy end of faded dreams of gold seekers. After about 100 years, mining was closed and the village was listed as National Monument, though conserving its original architecture. By coming here, you'll certainly hear the story of the Rober's Grave, with his special orientation among the other, marking its unforgivable gesture of storing a tent from a miner.

Plattenberg Bay is the top destination along the Garden Route, beautifully located on the Indian Ocean coast, in the perfect natural landscape. Whether you're looking for a relaxing seaside holiday, nature exploration or outdoor adventures, this the ideal place. The green surroundings of hills, mountains and the Tsitsikamma forest host a rich wildlife which you can explore; likewise, you may experience a walk with the cheetahs in the Tenikwa Wildlife Center or whale and dolphin watching from the sunny beaches or a boat trip. Adrenaline seekers will surely enjoy skydiving, canopying in the forest or horseback safaris. Don't miss the Cruise the Crags route (20 km from Plett) and the unspoiled nature in Bitou area of Nature's Valley.

Port Elizabeth is a vibrant city, offering all the usual city attractions for tourists: shopping centers, flea markets, nice restaurants, pubs and nightlife entertainment. But it's the surroundings that are really spectacular. The magnificent coastline of Algoa Bay offers endless opportunities for swimming, surfing, snorkeling or diving around corals and shipwrecks; the 40 km of protected beaches are topped by the "Blue Flag" world-class Humewood beach. Nature lovers will be delighted by the Addo Elephant National Park, the Oceanarium and Snake Park at Bayworld and the Seaview Game & Lion Park. Don't miss a trip to Thornhill in the Apple Express steam train on the world's highest narrow-gauge bridge and the mountain-biking trails on Baakens River or along the Swartkops Valley.

Sabie is a small forestry country town, nestled in the deep valley of Sabie River, in the picturesque landscape of the Drakensberg mountains. Started as a gold mining town, it developed lately as a welcoming touristic destination, with nice accommodation places, restaurants and souvenir shops of African arts and crafts. Sabie attracts nature and adventure lovers, standing near the world's largest man-made forests, and also offering in its surroundings plenty of outdoor facilities for hiking, back packing, mountain biking, white-water rafting, rock climbing or 4x4 drives. The pristine mountain streams and spectacular waterfalls are ideal places for relaxation, while Kruger National Park lies just 64 km East.

Founded in 1679 and steeped in Anglo-Dutch tradition, the idyllic town of Stellenbosch developed into one of South Africa's wine Meccas, known worldwide for its quality wines and the spectacular beauty of the surroundings. The Stellenbosch Wine Route includes 106 cellars where you can enjoy a full day's wine tasting activities, wine buying and even indulge in getting to know our great South African way of life. For nature lovers, there are several hiking trails within the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Stellenbosch offers almost every outdoor activity you could desire. The popular Cheetah Outreach Project is a popular hit with family groups visiting the Spier wine farm, as it will entertain and educate the kids for the day.

The Sun City theme park in the North West province is part of the Sun City resort and entertainment complex, offering a myriad of leisure and recreation options for the entire family. Stay a day -or a week- you will never be bored. It has become a haven for holidaymakers to South Africa. Sun City is internationally renowned as Africa's premier holiday resort, offering a myriad of different entertainment and relaxation opportunities as well as enough attractions and activities to keep everyone busy. The fabulous SunCity resort complex captivates visitors with its combination of golf, game-viewing and gambling as well as world-class hotels. Formerly the gambling mecca of South Africa, Suncity still attracts those who wish to gamble but also those who want to relax. An iconic complex known worldwide for its exotic entertainment options, the Sun City theme park is more a mini-city than a park, boasting so many attractions and entertainment options that first-time visitors may find it pleasantly bewildering. Far enough from South Africa's major cities to qualify as a real getaway from hectic city life, but close enough to make transport to and fro effortless, then Sun City is the ultimate all-in-one entertainment destination. Activities run the gamut from adventure sports and safari options to a world-famous golf course and a wide variety of rides and games to keep the children happily busy. Many will probably want to swing their clubs at the Gary Player Country Club, home to the famed Million Dollar golf tournament. Others may want to relax in the sun poolside at the Valley of the Waves while the kids go screaming down one of the water park's many thrilling slides. Adults can try their luck at one of the biggest casinos in Africa before taking in a revue or live music show, or simply enjoy a meal at one of the many award-winning restaurants. Kamp Kwena, an activity park for children where they can learn, play and make new friends, will keep lively little minds well occupied. Mini-cars, trampolines, adventure golf and more ensure that the kids do not miss their parents too much. Sun City is not just a hotel or an entertainment complex or even just a theme park; it's an entire experience.

Dating back from around 1890, White River is an important farming and tourism center and also a base for exploring the Kruger National Park and the various other natural wonders in the vicinity. It is a picturesque town with streets shaded by flowering trees, offering an impressive view of the Crocodile River Valley. The Butterfly Garden invites the visitor into a fairyland of beautiful butterflies, flying around and feeding on flowers planted exclusively for them. A petting zoo next to the garden with herbs that attracts bees and butterflies is a real amusement for the children. There is accommodation galore, ranging from affordable, yet charming bed and breakfast accommodation, to self catering accommodation - something for every taste and pocket.

The fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. Towns and villages have many historic homesteads and monuments, and every so often fruit orchards are to be seen, whose produce may be found in all corners of the world. It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River Valley and especially the areas of Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. View the Wine Routes of the Cape for a detailed overview of all of the wine routes which includes the Constantia Valley, Coastal Routes, Little Karoo and Olifants River Wine Routes and more.