South Africa – at the southern tip of the Dark Continent – is a land of contrasts and contradictions. Pairing remarkable natural beauty with sprawling urban jungles; inland safari adventures with a burgeoning gourmet and wine scene; a melting pot of culture and a tumultuous history; it’s no wonder this southern belle has become the number one must-do destination in mainland Africa.
It is dubbed the Adventure Capital of the World, but don’t be intimidated, South Africa is super accessible for modern explorers of all temperaments. Well maintained national highways and well thought out tourist trails like Route 62 – the world’s longest wine route – open up South Africa’s farmlands, a plethora of national parks, gourmet pockets, world-class wineries and luxury game lodges, for easy exploration. Boasting coastlines on both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the country’s aquatic attractions – big surf, great white shark dives, whale watching, white water rafting and SCUBA diving, draw their fair share of attention all year round.