Travel Guide to South Africa

South Africa: Why go

For its incredible natural beauty: South Africa is a large country of massively varied and spectacular terrain - from the picturesque Cape Winelands to the awesome Drakensberg Mountains and the unspoilt wilderness of the bush.

There's loads to do - nature lovers and adventure seekers will not be disappointed. Its wealth of plantlife is outstanding and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. For those just wanting to relax, there's mile upon mile of glorious sandy beaches - some of the best and least crowded in the world.

There's excellent accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from treehouses and luxury tents to chic guesthouses, characterful country inns and Africa's most stylish safari lodges. Eating out is still quite cheap, and great infrastructure makes it perfect for touring. There's plenty of sunshine and the seasons are reversed, so it's ideal for escaping the European winter. For Europeans, it's long-haul without the jetlag - the time difference is just 1-2 hours.