As one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world, South Africa competes with the best of them when it comes to Mother Nature’s beauty pageant. She scores top marks for her diverse offering of beautiful beaches, dramatic mountains and cliff-faces, famed Table Mountain with its cloudy tablecloth, the luscious Garden Route stretching from the Eastern to Western Cape, lush forest belts, intriguing semi-desertscapes, and unforgettable sunsets over the African veld. The country is rich in natural beauty and wildlife, with unspoiled beaches, dramatic mountains, protected wilderness areas, national parks and game reserves. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture offers travelers a unique and inspiring experience.

Besides the common Big 5 in most African safari, South Africa has Big 7: add the Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale to the list of the Big 5. And don’t forget all the other South African favourites – cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, hyena, warthog and the famed dung beetle may not be the bigger 7, but they certainly like to claim their moment in the spotlight. South Africa boasts no less than 20 national parks, with literally hundreds of other private parks and game lodges to ensure you get a generous slice of the ‘African experience.’

Accommodations vary from deluxe safari camps and hotels to self-service bungalows. On Safari, you may view game by closed vehicle in national parks and by open vehicle and walking tours in private game reserves and wilderness areas to view the Big 5. Touring around the Cape and on the Garden Route is very popular.

South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by northern neighbours Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It encompasses the independent mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warm Indian Ocean on the east – giving the country its spectacular range of biodiversity.