South Africa

About the destination: Johannesburg is the main point of entry for the majority of tourists visiting South Africa and it's the biggest city. First time visitors might not realise that Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60km apart, but the two cities are worlds apart, and the contrast is fascinating. South Africa's biggest city is cosmopolitan, quirky and vibrant with fantastic weather and friendly folk. One of Johannesburg's charming traits is that it's a truly international and very cosmopolitan spot. Johannesburg is unapologetically and unmistakably African with enough First World infrastructure to make for comfortable tourism. Newtown and the Market Theatre area are the city's cultural district. Braamfontein, the university area, has a great Saturday market, lively night life, and is very artsy. Don’t miss the stunning Apartheid Museum. The most well-known and celebrated of South Africa's townships is Soweto, the sprawling mix of shanty town and formal housing estates that lies about 30km outside of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Johannesburg offers lots of interesting and often quirky things to do, be willing to scratch beneath the surface and you'll find enough to happily occupy a few days and provide excellent context to help you understand the turbulent history that has made South Africa what it is today.

About the destination: The Kruger Park is a destination for all seasons, with each one bringing its own unique highlights. No matter when you choose to safari in the Kruger National Park. Game viewing can be at its peak during the dry winter months, however the wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, a lot of newborn wildlife and the arrival of summer migrant birds.

About the destination: Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng's province, in South Africa, within the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane's City. It is the administrative capital of South Africa, near the legislative city of Cape Town and the judicial city of Bloemfontein. The Executive Power is based in Pretoria. The metropolitan area of Pretoria is the fifth most important in South Africa, with an estimated population of 2,985,997. Pretoria is considered to be the city that offers the most services at a national level in university studies, with universities such as the University of Pretoria, founded in 1908 which is one of the oldest and most extensive in the public sector, the University of South Africa, which is the first in the country to offer qualifications remotely, and Tshwane's Technological University, which receives the largest number of science students in South Africa. It is also the headquarters of the Council for the Scientific and Industrial Research of South Africa. Pretoria is also popularly known in Africa as “The Jacaranda City” due to the number of Jacaranda trees that exist in the streets, parks and gardens. Some of the most attractive tourist destinations in Pretoria, apart from the ones already mentioned, are: Groenkloof's nature reserve, Vrootrekker's monument and the Union Buildings.

About the destination: Cape Town is the second biggest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town houses the parliament even though the capital of South Africa is Pretoria. Cape Town is located at the foot of Table Mountains which is encircled by both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Cape Town is a place that has everything from stunning mountains and brilliant beaches to picturesque mountain ranges and tasty wine routes. Have a wander around Green market square or through the squirrel filled gardens by the SA Cultural History Museum just off the main Adderley Street. The esplanade in the shadows of the City Hall serves as a stage for political rallies as well as a market selling everything from food to clothes. The Castle of Good Hope overlooks the esplanade and it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa. One of the oldest residential areas of Cape Town, the Bo Kaap is a unique neighbourhood with a strong cultural and social history. Visit Nobel Square and see a tribute to four of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winners. Cape Town has some of the best beaches in Africa, all of which have the clean white beach sand unique to the Cape. Cape Town is a spectacular place with something for everyone, sun, beaches, friendly folk, African culture, good grub, great wine and fantastic scenery. What are you waiting for?