If you’re one for sweeping vistas, primaeval river valleys, crème de la crème wildlife and adventure then put South Africa on the top of your list.
Bharti Sharma
The Rainbow Nation of South Africa – with its 3000+ unique adventure offerings, captivating wildlife, beautiful golden coastal beaches, vibrant nightlife, diverse culture, warm hospitality, rich heritage and culinary treats, promises travellers an immersive and memorable experience at every turn. Nestled in the core of the southern part of the African continent, South Africa is known for its tremendous Flora and Fauna, the country is edged by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Indian Ocean on the south, adjoined by Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland to the northeast and east. South Africa has already cemented its place as the wildlife capital of the world.
A veritable playground for the experiential soul
What is the first visual that comes to your mind at the mention of South Africa? Well, any visual will not be even a fraction of the level of experiences and memories that are waiting for you here!
Scouting for Tarzans in the jungles
It’s time to head into the wild African bushes to meet the creatures that have walked the earth for centuries. South Africa is more a paradise than a landmass, holding a diverse mammal life with more than 200 species of animals and more than 800 species of birds. The richness of South African wildlife includes the majestic big cats, African elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, baboons, zebras, and a variety of antelopes, jackals among countless others. Jungle safari in South Africa is a soul-stirring experience unparalleled to any other adventure in this world. An encounter with a pride of lions in their natural habitat here or coming across the majestic African elephants are some of the sights to behold for life.
Out in the jungle, you’ll spend hours scanning the horizon for the ‘Big 5’– the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. Your day will be action-packed with the epic wilderness at Kruger, Kgalagadi and other parks and guided drives and walks. If luck is knocking at your door you’ll be witnessing the stimulating chase of a live hunt. By any chance, if riding in a gipsy on rugged terrains is not your thing, hop on to a helicopter for a tour of the surrounding mountains or take an aerial view of the wilderness in a hot-air balloon.
Don’t forget to experience the South African sunset; it is amongst the most exhilarating natural sights in the world.
A stroll through South African culture
South African culture embodies warmth and hospitality. The people here understand that for many tourists, a trip to Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so they do everything in their power to ensure your stay is memorable. In short, you won’t be let down by the hospitality of South African people. Even as an outsider, there is no hesitation to get involved in the frolics of South Africa. The country has a blend of taste in a fusion of various musical styles such as traditional indigenous music, jazz, Christian religious music and a fusion of cultural influences, such as township jazz and pop music, and religious choral music.
Relish the local cuisines
To travel more, one has to eat more and there is zero scope of scepticism for foodies when it comes to South African delicacies. Make sure you savour locally-made varieties of cheese, olives and the country’s finest organic fruit along with the best South African wine. Dry biltong, Cape Malay curry, malva pudding and bunny chow are some of the must-haves on your trip.
Powerhouse of explorations
People come to South Africa seeking adventure, unleashing their inner thrill and embracing nature in its most raw form. The Garden Route is one massive scenic route that spans cape to cape i.e. from Cape Town in the west, to Port Elizabeth in the east. It is blessed with a soothing climate, lush green landscapes with rising mountains and lagoons of all sizes. If just in case, you have more appetite for landscapes then you’ve got your wishes covered through the iconic Table Mountain. Lace up those boots and get set to hike. Lion’s Head, a part of the Table Mountain National Park, is another short hike to stunning views of Cape Town and both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. A tour of Cape Winelands is recommended if you’re a wine person, and wish to try horse-and-carriage rides and art galleries.
South Africa is a destination with deep history, so if you’re interested in uncovering historical facts giving way to the antiquarian in you, head to the Robben Island and visit the jail cell that held Nelson Mandela captive for 18 years. Discover about the apartheid and the turbulent years that the people of South Africa went through.
Check-in your stay-tements here!
South Africa continues to leverage its international spotlight by luring visitors with a diverse mix of offerings. The nation is home to some of the continent’s top luxury safari lodges, with a strong focus on conservation. The destination has a plethora of world-class facilities, excellent infrastructure and distinctive attractions, along with internationally benchmarked health & safety standards; it also has surroundings that naturally promote social distancing – this makes it more appealing to leisure, business & MICE travellers.
Sustainability: Ditch the toxic elements
South Africans fiercely maintain and protect their cultural and natural heritage. It is home to eight world heritage sites that are funded by the government. They also refrain from promoting wildlife interactions, which is why most of the national parks that are streaming live safaris have the rangers reporting normal behaviour. The wildlife in the national parks is used to minimal human interaction, and they respect their space and privacy. They have also expanded their tourist offerings geographically to ensure that there is no over-tourism while ensuring that the local rural communities are positively impacted by tourism.
To sum up…
This land of ‘wild wonders’ welcomes adventure freaks from around the globe to experience rip-roaring activities like never before. You just can’t miss experiencing the grandeur and thrill while roaming on South African terrain. Now you can imagine why South Africa is one of the few places on the planet that somehow succeeds in providing everything to everyone. Though South Africa is the epitome of adventure and wildlife, its diversity in offerings is what makes it a year-round destination.
Interesting Facts About South Africa:
- Reflecting the country’s diversity, South Africa has 11 official languages
- South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria hosts the executive branch, Cape Town is home to the legislative branch and Bloemfontein is home to the judicial branch.
- South Africa has 10 UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites.
