Introduction

The miraculous shift from apartheid state to thriving democracy has opened up the country’s many attractions to a stream of overseas visitors. South Africa rewards you with a rich diversity of experiences that will appeal to everyone.

South Africa continues to attract a wide variety of visitors: tourists on short-term visits are drawn to well established highlights such as the Kruger Park with its “Big Five” safari animals, and Cape Town’s Table Mountain, one of the most beautiful vistas anywhere in the world. Sports lovers come to play golf, try rock climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping and hike the numerous pristine nature reserves. While others fall in love with the Garden Route’s beauty and effortless bohemia. And of course everyone loves the golden beaches, welcoming wine farms and the great food.

This broad and wonderfully complex country is brimming with contradictions and surprising contrasts. Living side by side you’ll find desert and rainforests; secluded beach and mist-shrouded mountain; and it’s all populated by over thirty different cultures that are still learning to talk to one another.

The tourist infrastructure is outstanding, comparing well with European standards of comfort and efficiency. And the weakness of the Rand against major international currencies makes for a hard to beat value for money holiday. In short, South Africa has it all – a combination of everything a visitor could want, in a territory that is a true paradise on earth.