What to do in South Africa

It's not called Cape Point for nothing, jutting out into the icy Atlantic Ocean with panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Exploring the nature reserve can easily take the entire day, with hidden, white sand beaches and fynbos-clad hiking or biking trails. Keep your eyes peeled for speeding ostriches, various antelope and over 270 species of bird. Plus, listen out for the telltale bark of a chacma baboon (but don't share your lunch)! Travel via the 'Flying Dutchman' funicular to scenic lookout points and picnic spots - you may even see whales between August and October. Make sure you get a look at the Cape's original lighthouse (and a few snaps) before you go.

Of all the Kruger's wild and woolly creatures, the Big Five induces the most gasps - and with good reason! At sunrise (or as sunset approaches), depart from camp on a game drive with your expert guide to track Africa's most famous quintet. Explore the rolling savannah, lush valleys and river banks where you may spy a languid leopard on a branch, elephant splashing in the water, rhino and buffalo snuffling in the grass and a pride of lion snoozing in the shade of a fever tree.

Bar from the cute cafes and old-fashioned style, Franschhoek's charm is cemented with a trip on the wine tram. Pick your route and simply jump on in the centre of town to enjoy a scenic ride through the valleys of lush vineyards. Along the way, the tram makes stops at some of South Africa's oldest and most well-known estates. Take a tour of the cellar, join a wine tasting or stroll through the rows of vines before grabbing a bite to eat. For a novel way of seeing Franschhoek's finest wine estates, the tram is your answer. And you'll pick up history of the Winelands along the way.

​A journey up the magical Garden Route, starting from Cape Town, couldn't be done at a better time. It’s warm and clear in December, with almost zero chance of rain along this spectacular coastline. Stop off at some of the amazing towns and beaches along the way (Hermanus, Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay to name a few) and by the time you reach Port Elizabeth you will be ready for a few of the local game reserves, offering some spectacular game viewing, including the Big Five.

Phinda offers the rare opportunity to see both black and white rhino in the wild. Experienced guides take you out into the bush on foot, where they interpret the tracks and signs in the attempt to locate one of these majestic creatures—one of Africa's biggest and most endangered animals.

It’s usually Hermanus that steals the show when it comes to whale-watching, but the drive along the picture-perfect coastal road from Cape Town through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is just as spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic creatures as you go and when you reach Hermanus, stretch your legs with a stroll through the galleries, bookstores and boutiques. After a lazy lunch, head into the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde for a taste of the grapes from a cool-climate region, in particular the South African speciality, Pinot Noir.

Stand on the battlefields of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War and let your guide and storyteller bring the sights, sounds and scents to life. Learn of the Zulu bravery and innovation that defeated the British Army at Isandlwana, then hear how British soldiers, vastly outnumbered, still managed to win at Rorke’s Drift.

Being on horseback allows you to get close to animals like the endangered roan and sable antelope or the usually skittish Hartmann’s mountain zebra without disturbing them. Beginners and advanced riders alike can ride across the grassy plains and red dunes, drink in the beauty of the Kalahari landscape and enjoy its stillness.

Part sleepy fishing village, part culinary heaven, you can’t visit Paternoster without doing a little restaurant hopping. So for a 24 hour, tastebud-ticklingly delicious foodie journey, here’s the plan. Cast off your flip-flops and head straight along the beach to Voorstrandt. The 115-year-old green and red tin hut is a Paternoster institution where the beer is cold and the fish comes straight from boat to plate. For dinner it’s Gaaitjie and chef Suzi Waterhouse’s Afrikaans classics with a seaside twist and the best sunset in town. After an early morning dip (essential to replenish the appetite!), roll in to the Strandloper Hotel for freshly baked pastries and heavenly coffee. Next up is Oep ve Koep, a rustic farm-stall-come-restaurant owned by the legendary Kobus van der Merwe. Foraging is the name of his game, so expect wild oysters in the restaurant and fynbos jam in the pretty shop. And if you’ve got an extra few hours, squeeze in a Malay fish curry under the twinkling garden lights at the Noisy Oyster. Talk about saving the best till last….

Splashes of colour paint the dry landscape of Namaqualand in August. Drive just a few hours up the west coast from Cape Town, and you are transported to a world of colour and beauty. It only happens for a few weeks, so make sure you get there in time.

One can often miss the details of the bush—a leopard track in the sand; a rare bird call; or a unique flower—when bumbling in a vehicle. Guided walks are a fantastic way to explore the Waterberg area, with its soaring massif and rolling plains. These can be in the form of a gentle stroll to identify insects and birds - or spot a porcupine quill, track animals through the bush, or learn the medicinal properties of various trees and plants. If you're in the area, your expert guide may take you to see the gallery of San rock paintings dating back thousands of years. Return to camp for a hearty brunch!

Part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay on South Africa's east coast is rich in natural biodiversity, a place of whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles. Go fishing, scuba diving or kite-surfing, join a turtle tour, and explore the area's birds and wildlife on nature walks, quad bikes or game drives.

Experience the Garden Route National Park's restless breakers, rocky coastline and indigenous forest, its magical world of marine life. Meet the Knysna seahorse, Brenton blue butterfly or colourful Knysna turaco. Walk on the beach, go canoeing on rivers and fresh-water lakes or head for the hills on foot or on your mountain bike.

Armed with your camera and your creativity, depart from camp in the golden hour (sunrise or sunset). Your guide will lead you on a 4x4 drive to find the ultimate photo opportunities, whether it is herds gathered around waterholes, a leopard slinking into a tree after an evening of hunting or elephant marching across the savannah. Get tips on framing, angles and letting nature take the lead from photography experts, and return to camp with a reel of epic snaps! Some camps offer a specially adapted photographic vehicle to ensure you get the best shots, and a processing studio to make edits and get prints

If you dream of seeing dolphins, seals and whales (in the right season), Knysna's liquid landscapes bring your dreams to life. On board the magnificent 50-foot Outeniqua yacht, take in the gentle estuary views before crossing through the Headlands to experience the delights of the Indian Ocean. While you meander down the coast, watch for playful dolphins, soaring seabirds and more, before returning to the picturesque Knysna lagoon.

Bumble through this beautiful nature reserve in an open top Land Rover, as experienced guides track down cheetah, lion and rare black rhino. Game drives in Phinda are always remarkable, whether you are out on the open plains or under the cover of the magical sand forest.

The Hemel-en-Aarde road takes you into the hilly wine country beyond Hermanus. The cool ocean air enriches these vineyards and the small-scale production keeps things personal. Enjoy a different view into the valley at each farm, sipping a crisp sauvignon blanc or tucking into a delicious food and wine pairing.

The rugged coastline and white beaches of the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast are untainted by development. Round thatched huts and free-roaming cattle dot the rolling hills while indigenous forest blankets deep gorges. This is Xhosa country, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, a place of unusual rock formations, shipwrecks and surfing dolphins.

Sleep under a canopy of stars in the dry Kalahari air where no light pollution dims their brilliance. The raised sleep-out platform, called Malori or 'dreamer', has a thatched overhang and weather-proof blinds. Here, in a safe environment, you can immerse yourself in the Kalahari and feel the romance of its night skies.

There's a reason why some call the Cedarburg 'The Louvre of Africa', with its many examples of intricate Khoisan rock paintings that cover the caves and overhangs in the mystical mountain landscape. Short hikes will take you to thousand-year-old paintings depicting antelope and humans, made using animal blood and plant sap as pigments.

Explore the miracle of iSimangaliso Wetland Park with its eight ecosystems, beaches and diversity of plants and animals. There's lots to do, from nature trails, boating, fly-fishing and snorkeling to bird-watching and game drives in search of leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo and giraffe. Visit 700-year-old fish traps and learn about the area's cultural heritage.

A safari in South Africa isn't complete without a game drive in the Kruger, a stomping ground of the Big Five and a plethora of other wildlife. Depart from camp as dawn breaks or in the cooler afternoon, as your guide introduces you to the wonders of the Kruger. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the hordes of plains game (especially in the centre of the park), hippo yawning from the river and the endangered African painted dog. Our pick for the best time to go is in the quieter months of April - May and October - November. Stop for refreshments under the limbs of a baobab before returning to camp.

When you see the dorsal fin silently slice the clear water, you know a Great White Shark has arrived near your boat. Secured in a special steel cage, you then descend below the surface for a little one-on-one with this terrifying, beautiful creature - it's nerve-wrecking, yet extremely rewarding.

The arid Kalahari is one of the best places to see the secretive aardvark and pangolin, sightings highly sought-after even by Big Five aficionados. Both animals are nocturnal so your guide will try to find them on an early evening safari. Stay alert and you might spot other wildlife too.