South Africa is a land of incredible natural beauty, with over three million hectares set aside for conservation. From the enormous, world-renowned, game-rich Kruger National Park to the little-known, tiny, botanically diverse Mkambati Nature Reserve, these conservation areas offer a wealth of natural experiences.

South Africa has enormous wealth above and below ground, making it one of the richest natural storehouses on the planet. With staggeringly beautiful rural areas such as the Cape Winelands, the towering dunes of the Wild Coast, the magnificent game parks of Kruger and Zululand, and the Kalahari and Karoo deserts, barren for much of the year but a carpet of flowers in spring, the possibilities for tourists are endless. Alternatively, visit sophisticated cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, or charming historic towns like Stellenbosch or Pietermaritzburg. Even once infamous townships such as Soweto are now growing into vibrant cities in their own right. South Africa is a ‘rainbow nation’ of many colours and cultures, the perfect getaway.

With so much to see and do in South Africa it is almost a shame to stay in one place. Allow our South African specialists to put their first hand knowledge into practice and advise you on an itinerary that includes all the major highlights from luxury safaris in the national parks to wine tasting in the beautiful valleys of the Winelands. Don't forget that trips to South Africa are easily combined with visits to Dubai, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Highlights include:
CAPE TOWN
Mother city of Africa and the western Cape, an area regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world, Cape Town is a rare cultural gem resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushmen and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes of the north.

The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil's Peak and historical Signal Hill, stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula which is famed for its unique floral kingdom. bountiful rivers, valleys, dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area - green in summer, red-gold in autumn - extends far into the Winelands.

Cape Town boasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a roaring nightlife under neon signs. The vast range of shopping opportunities includes haggling with shop holders at Green Square Flea market as well as breezing through sophisticated and stylish shopping malls. The huge variety of restaurants reflects the multicultural history of the Cape and caters for everyone's taste, from fast-food outlets and casual dining, to the chic and very elegant.

THE CAPE WINELANDS
Just an hour's drive from Cape Town lie the Cape Winelands, a scenically enchanting region of dramatic mountains and fertile valleys planted with vines stretching across rolling fields. A little further still from Cape Town is Hermanus, one of the world's foremost areas for viewing Southern Right Whales.

The Winelands are a wonderful combination of small historic towns, beautiful scenery and wine estates producing delicious wines and brandies. There are literally hundreds of wine estates, all offering the chance to sample their unique blends in a picture perfect setting.

THE GARDEN ROUTE
The Garden Route, stretching along the southern coast of Africa is an area of unspoiled beauty and majesty, and quite unlike any other region in Africa.

With a temperate climate and mild year round weather, The Garden Route has a gentleness and tranquillity which makes it unique. The coastline is at some points rugged and rough with towering cliffs and turbulent seas, at other points placid with gentle lagoons and golden white beaches, such as Knynsa, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness.

There are numerous mountain streams, lakes and enchanting temperate woodland forests. Beyond the imposing Outeniqua Mountains lies the semi-desert region known as Klein Karoo, home of ostrich farms and olive groves.

THE BLUE TRAIN
For over half a century South Africa's Blue Train has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world's pre-eminent travelling experiences. Traversing South Africa's varied landscapes along two alternate routes, the train combines all the luxury of a 5 star hotel with a globally unparalleled journey.

The Blue Train offers the discerning traveller a choice of journeys into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where some of the world's most dramatic scenery stirs the imagination and luxurious comfort soothes the body and soul.

Journeys:
The Classic Blue Train (Cape Town - Pretoria, 1600 km / 26hrs)
The Garden Route (Cape Town - Port Elizabeth, 1068 km, 40hrs)