Limpopo Province is South Africa’s northernmost province and is named after the great Limpopo River that flows along its northern border. This province is rich in wildlife (northern section of the Kruger National Park and the Waterberg), spectacular scenery and has a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Aptly known as “Paradise Country”, few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the lowveld and escarpment. Mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterise the landscape. It is difficult to conceive an area of greater historical, scenic and wildlife diversity anywhere in the world.

Is any place on earth as enchanting, as spectacular, as Cape Town? No wonder the world regularly votes it one of the world's most beautiful cities, set at the tip of a green and historical fascinating province.

At the foot of Africa, between the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the warmer surf of the Indian Ocean, lies a piece of paradise with a natural beauty equal to none. Sandy shores, mountain peaks, forests and dunes permeate this diverse southern wonder-world, which has been enticing visitors since the first seafarers visited it and aptly named it 'the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth'. Cape Town holidays are an experience of a lifetime.

The Winelands offer breathtaking scenery, historic homesteads on wine estates, superb restaurants and of course, copious quantities of fabulous wines. Like the wine it's a region best savoured rather than visited for a day from Cape Town (time permitting). Allow yourself time not only for the food and wine but also for the landscape itself. There are dramatic mountains such as Simonsberg and the Helderberg, which dominate the surrounding area. These mountain ranges make for great walking and birding and there are plenty of well-mapped footpaths available for exploring. Alternatively, make the most of the views by driving to the top of the Franschhoek, Helshoogte or Bainskloof passes.

Stretching north and east from Cape Town is the Overberg (over the mountains).The Overberg coast, also known as the ‘Whale Coast’, has the distinction of splitting the oceans. At Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the continent, the waters are cleaved into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 

Rimmed by these two great oceans, it’s a playground for all the inhabitants of the earth and sea, a nursery of the great Southern Right whale and a garden of delight, from its rare floral kingdom, to the fields of grain and orchards of fruit of the aptly named Hemel en Aarde Valley (Heaven & Earth)

An area of magnificent views, panoramic landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams, an abundance of trees and indigenous flora, the Breede River Valley is the largest of the Western Cape's three fruit and wine producing valleys. A heavily cultivated region, graced with orchards, vineyards and wheatlands, surrounded by mountains, the higher peaks of which are heavily capped with snow in winter.

This region has a landscape fashioned almost entirely by water, ranging from lush greenery in the fertile river valleys to short, rugged Karoo plants in the veld. Gorges follow rivers that cut through towering mountains and passes cross-imposing terrain, leaving one stunned by the magnificence. The long narrow valley is rich in geological shapes, culture, history, Bushman art, prolific plant species and is also the home of the spectacular Cango Caves as well as the largest bird in the world – the ostrich.

Defined by its rugged shorelines, coastal vegetation, heritage fishing villages and unpretentious lifestyle, the West Coast still holds an element of the wild unknown. With a tangibly strong culture of fisher-folk who have been the guardians of the land that supports them, their quaint small wooden fishing boats and simple lives on the sea, are qualities that draw visitors from across the globe. Loved by many, the dramatic coastline, changeable seas, white sandy beaches and cerulean blue skies creep under your skin and seep into your soul.

The Wilderness, nestled between the wooded foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and a vast expanse of golden beach, truly embodies the best of the Garden Route. As the western gateway to the Southern Cape lakes area, it is today a nature lover's paradise best known for its beaches, lakes, placid lagoon and lush indigenous forests. Encompassed within the boundaries of the Wilderness one finds the 2600ha Wilderness National Park, which is well known for its bird-watching as it hosts over 230 different species.

Knysna offers an electric mix of attractions and activities - something for everyone. Diverse in its mix of people and its surroundings, this diversity is reflected in a range of choices of eco-tourism, cultural-tourism and heritage-tourism. For the culture-vulture, the area is steeped in romantic history. Myth and legend unfold under the oaks of Belvidere with its old Manor House and Chapel, and will lead you through forest glades and glens to the very first goldmines in South Africa at Millwood.

Plettenberg Bay is one of South Africa's Top holiday Resorts and for artists and photographers the subject matter is endless. A resort of perfect beaches in the centre of the Garden Route, surrounded by the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and engulfed by indigenous forest, Plettenberg Bay has become South Africa's pleasure paradise for lovers of fauna, flora, scenery, whales and life on the coast.

Nature's Valley is located next to a beautiful lagoon on the Indian Ocean, enfolded with mountainous forest with rich fauna, flora and a bird watchers paradise. The Knysna loerie is plentiful in the forest and trains of bottle nosed dolphins can be seen in the waves with whales visiting frequently, especially the southern right whale is common here in early summer.

Tsitsikamma, is where sea and forest meet in an awe-inspiring display of nature's riches? A coastline where huge seas crash against sheer cliffs and rocks, forests where ancient yellowwood trees stretch up and gentler areas where fynbos (fine bush) flourishes making it one of the wonderlands of South Africa. This is natural beauty at its best – an abundance of indigenous animals, birds, ancient yellow woods and magnificent fynbos.

The Battlefields area in the northern KwaZulu-Natal was the site of many of South Africa’s most significant battles of the last 200 years. This is where Voortrekker, the British and Zulu clashed.

For superb coastal resources, visit Maputuland, with its Greater St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park, the country’s third-largest wildlife sanctuary and a magnificent World Heritage Site.. This internationally-renowned park boasts a spectacular coastline, the second-highest vegetated sea-dunes on earth, and pods of hippo, crocodile and elephant.

You cannot think of visiting KwaZulu-Natal without taking in the majesty and splendour of the Drakensberg Mountains. The Drakensberg is an area of spectacular scenery, with peaks that rise over 3000m. Its name literally means ‘Dragon Mountains’ after its saw-toothed peaks and the local Zulu people call them ‘uKhahlamba’, the ‘barrier of spears’.

Durban is affectionately known by the locals as “Durbs by the Sea”. Durban has no doubt been the holiday destination of choice for many South Africans. If you have been fortunate enough to visit Durban before, it’s easy to understand why; the year round warm climate, the golden beaches and waves boasting world class surfing events as well as the regular beach festivals that take place throughout the year.

Mauritius, a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, will fascinate you. The contrast of colours, cultures and tastes makes the island so charming that the scene is set for an unforgettable beach holiday. Here, you have the opportunity to experience unparalleled luxury: a level of refinement that is head and shoulders above that on offer in other tropical holiday destinations. Here, you will discover the true meaning of ‘beauty’ – a realisation that will compel you to return for holidays in Mauritius time and again.

Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast.  It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

Kick off your shoes, get the sea sand between your toes, relax and enjoy the endless, unprecedented natural beauty. Discover the tranquillity and unspoilt paradise of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique, a 35 minute boat ride across the bay from Vilanculos.

The idyllic islands that comprise the Quirimbas archipelago stretch for 250 km along the northern Mozambique coastline, from the historic part of Pemba in the south to the town of Palma in the north.

Located about 10km off the coast near Vilanculos, lies the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is an idyllic area of azure ocean, sandy beaches with palm trees, beautiful coral reefs and an abundance of tropical marine life. The archipelago consists of four islands: Bazaruto, Benguera, Magaruque and Santa Carolina.

In central-northern Namibia the flat landscape is dotted with large saltpans, the most famous of which is Etosha Pan in the eponymous Etosha National Park, a vast area of over 20 000 sq km that protects a wealth of wildlife.

The area of Namib Desert around Swakopmund is named the West Coast Recreational Area. For those interested in adventure activities Swakopmund offers sand-boarding, quad biking, dune carting, parachuting, hot air ballooning, shark fishing, deep sea fishing and beach angling to name but a few. For the more sedentary there are restaurants, cafes, art galleries, museums, historical buildings and monuments.

Sossusvlei, one of the highlights of any Namibian visit, is a huge clay-pan, enclosed by mighty sand dunes. Located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world, these spectacular hills of sand are among the highest in the world, and some reach a height of 400 metres. It is possible to climb them and contemplate a silent and velvety expanse where ochre, vermilion, pink and mauve blend harmoniously.

Windhoek is usually the first city visitors experience when arriving in Namibia but also the last destination before embarking on their onward flight. The German colonial influence is clearly visible in the architecture of the city.

Southern Namibia is home to the world’s second largest canyon, the Fish River Canyon. Here the rocky landscape drops vertically by 550m, out of a flat plateau, creating a dramatic landscape of towering cliffs and colourful rock stratas. The Fish River Canyon meanders between boulders at the bottom of the canyon for approx. 160km. The canyon starts near Seeheim and ends at Ai-Aisand.

Damaraland is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region. Here there are prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and deep gorges.

As the largest curtain of falling water in the world, a World Heritage Site and a natural wonder, the Victoria Falls is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular sites. The Falls and the Zambezi River are shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, with the Victoria Falls being the physical landmark that separates these two countries.

When it comes to wildlife, Zambia is blessed with both diversity and abundance. Zambia is one of the least travelled, yet most rewarding wilderness experiences in Africa, and can be romantically defined as wild and remote.

The most rewarding way to enjoy this beautiful part of the world is in the safe hands of the experts. Cape Tours has partnered with Robin Pope Safaris to offer the best private walking safaris in Zambia; exclusive game lodges and some of the finest luxury houses in Africa.

The northern park area of Tanzania, centred on the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, is without doubt the best location for overland safaris, providing the most awesome combination of scenery, wildlife and culture. Nearby Mount Kilimanjaro is arguably the world’s greatest outdoor challenge

The world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve is an extension of the Serengeti (Tanzania) and location of the “greatest wildlife show on earth” when over two million wildebeest, together with zebra and other plains game species make the northward trek into the Masai Mara (May to October) before returning to the southern Serengeti (January to March) for the calving season. However, wildlife is still found in great concentrations throughout the year in every wildlife sanctuary. Travel in the “low season” months offers excellent value for money without the crowds.

Safari – such a powerful word that conjures up romantic images of untamed wildlife, magical scenery and beautiful African sunsets.

The national reserves and parks in Mpumalanga are amongst the premier attractions in South Africa. Probably the most famous of all the national parks is the Kruger National Park, which lies across the provinces of Mpumalanga an Limpopo in the north of South Africa.

The Eastern Cape greets you with untamed wildlife, un-crowded beaches, beautiful coastal resorts, a rich cultural heritage and diverse scenic beauty. With its wide diversity of natural habitats, the Eastern Cape caters for all tastes, from close encounters with “Big Five” in a malaria-free area, to lazy seaside holidays at unspoilt beaches

Also known as the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve and one of the country’s major privately owned conservation areas, Makalali Conservancy is over 22 000 hectares set in the Lowveld region of Limpopo, an hour west of the Phalaborwa gate of the Kruger National Park and roughly 80 kilometres from Hoedspruit Airport

Wide open spaces, vast fields of golden maize under blue skies and small peaceful villages characterise the North West Province. Stunning vistas of mountains, forest and bushveld add to the unspoiled beauty.

Madikwe Game Reserve lies to the north of Sun City, close to the Botswana border and only four to five hours drive from Johannesburg International Airport.

Famous for its rhino management programme KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has earned a reputation for wildlife conservation and management. The province is renowned for its diversity of wildlife and reserves encompassing a variety of ecosystems. Sand forests, woodland, savannah, bushveld, and wetlands.

 The Waterberg region, located less than a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, has been described as one of South Africa's best kept secrets. The area has been inhabited over hundreds of thousand years and is also one of the most important San Rock Art areas in South Africa.

To the north-east of the Okavango Delta, along the Linyanti fault line, lie the Chobe, Selinda and Linyanti areas. The varied woodland habitats and ancient floodplains make the Linyanti an essential complement to an Okavango visit.

Moremi Game Reserve is a National Park in Botswana and is located on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. The Moremi Game Reserve covers much of the eastern side of the Okavango Delta and combines permanent water with drier areas, which create some startling and unexpected contrasts. Some prominent features of the Reserve are Chiefs Island and the Moremi Tongue.

Botswana’s Chobe area is famous for its huge concentration of elephants. But this world-famous park is not only worth a visit for the elephants; it is home to the biggest variety of wildlife in Botswana, and its natural beauty alone is well worth the trip.

Botswana is often referred to as one of the wildest regions in Africa, because it offers such diverse safari options in pristine environments. It is a place of endless horizons, The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world. Situated in north-western Botswana, it disappears into a 15 000 sq km maze of lagoons, channels and islands – ‘the river which never finds the sea’.

Since its inception in 1946, The Blue Train has become recognised as the epitome of luxury rail travel and an icon of the Southern African tourism, hospitality and leisure experience.

Experience the extravagant elegance of rail travel on the most luxurious train in the world. Rovos Rail’s unique safaris through the heart of Africa combine some of the most magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail and air travel.