South Africa
Top Tips
Wildlife safaris
Rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are most prolific in the
north and eastern regions - Kruger and
Madikwe
- though the Eastern Cape
also has some 'Big 5' (and malaria-free) reserves now. Luxury camps
offer morning and evening game drives in open vehicles, on foot and
or even horseback.
Hiking
Excellent self-guided trails (sleeping huts en route; carry your
own equipment). Giant's Cup (Drakensberg), Tsitsikamma and Otter
Trails (Garden Route), Blyde Riverspoort (Mpumalanga) are among the
best 5-day hikes (book in advance). Also guided walking
safaris.
Adrenaline sports
Abseil down Table Mountain or paraglide off Lion's Head. For the
ultimate buzz head for the world's highest bungee jump (217m) at
the Blaukrans Bridge on the Garden Route. Rock climb in the
Drakensberg.
Wine tasting
East of Cape Town. Picturesque
valleys filled with vineyards and old Cape Dutch-style estates.
Head for Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Diving
KwaZulu Natal's north coast offers warm waters and the best reefs.
Wreck-diving near Cape Town.
Hot-air ballooning
...in the Winelands.
Surfing
Some of the best in the world; Jeffrey's Bay on the Eastern Cape is
the most famous spot and has an annual surf fest.
Golf
Dozens of championship-quality courses, many in beautiful
locations.
Horse riding
Horse riding safaris in the Lapalala Wilderness. Pony trekking in
Lesotho.
Whale-watching
Head to Walker Bay in the Western Cape between June-September when
the southern right whales come to calve just offshore.
Rafting and canoeing
On the Orange River, through desert wilderness or the Olifants
through the Blyde River Canyon, but don't expect the most demanding
rapids.
Birds and flowers
Over 700 species of bird - north Kwazulu Natal is best spot for
pelicans and flamingoes. Spectacular flower displays during August
and September in the semi-desert area along the west coast and in
Namaqualand.
Fishing
Excellent game fishing - tuna and swordfish - off Cape of Good
Hope. Trout fishing - southern mountain ranges of the
Western Cape and Drakensberg. Tiger fishing in Pongola.
Culture
Robben Island off Cape Town, township tours (Soweto and Cape Town),
Zulu battlefields.