What to do in South Africa

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.

Located in the magnificent Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest, many of the platforms are built around giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees that are up to 700 years old! Standing within the crown of these giants and looking down at the lush forest floor thirty metres below is an experience of a lifetime. The scenery and birdlife is spectacular and professional guides ensure your safety while keeping you informed about interesting features of the forest ecology. If you are fortunate enough, you will spot a pair of Knysna Loeries or the brilliant red plumage of the elusive Narina Trogon. Whatever happens, we’re quite sure you’ll be back again!

With the wind in your hair and the sweet smell of the flora in the air, there’s no better way to experience the beautiful countryside. You'll have a choice of horses and routes to suit your riding level, from fast-paced gallops along mountain passes to lingering walks through the orchards.

Pairing cheese with wine has long been a great way of highlighting the flavours and aromas of the grapes and in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, you’re in for a real treat in both taste departments! You’ll visit a variety of wine estates that either make their own cheese or have specially chosen locally-made fromage. Enjoy a memorable day learning the art of a good cheese and wine duo, combining the best of South Africa's wines with everything from home-cured mountain cheese to Brie. And you couldn't ask for a better view! At the end of the day, stroll around the award-winning gardens of Babylonstoren and visit their artisanal deli to take home a taste of South Africa.

As a city surrounded by mountains, it wouldn't be a trip to Cape Town without seeing it from above. Lead by a seasoned guide or blazing your own trail (so to speak), enjoy one of the scenic hiking routes up the craggy escarpments of Table Mountain. The most famous are the winding Platteklip trail, Skeleton Gorge, where you can stop for a break by the reservoir, and Woodstock Caves - perfect for a picnic and a few beautiful snaps. Once you reach the flat-topped summit, there are plenty more trails to explore while soaking up views of the Twelve Apostles, Lion's Head and stunning Table Bay. If you'd like something less strenuous, the revolving cable car will have you at the top of the mountain in minutes (but be sure to book ahead!).

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.

Franschhoek and the Winelands surrounding Cape Town are world renowned for their stunning wines. And there’s no better time to explore these valleys and vineyards than the beginning of summer. Wine is the lifeblood of Franschhoek and there's plenty of choice when it comes down to touring a wine estate, from refurbished manor cellars overlooking rolling valleys to quirkily-designed tasting rooms. Jump in the car and see where you end up or join your guide for a well-planned day out in the Winelands. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the wine making process before enjoying a taste of the full-bodied reds the area is famous for (and delicious food to accompany it)!

Hop aboard a smooth-sailing catamaran to explore the stunning Knysna lagoon where you'll delve into the history of this protected haven all while eyeing out incredible birdlife. Enjoy idyllic views of Knysna town, Leisure Isle and splashing seals before cruising into deeper waters. The Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean, are your gateway to a coastline of quiet bays, rugged caves and plenty of marine life.

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 Eastern Cape's reserves are chock-a-block with critters of the smaller variety. Chuck on your walking boots for a few hours of exploring on foot, with a seasoned guide to share the secrets of the bush with you. Spy on plentiful birdlife chattering from the trees, examine the earthy trails for porcupine quills, honey badger tracks and holes where aardvarks have been scavenging, and spot the shiny shell of a rhino beetle. Adjust your focus to truly appreciate the finer details on this close-up walk through nature. This makes a fantastic post-game drive or pre-lunch activity.

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.

The Stellenbosch region has many strings to its bow and this gourmet experience is the chance to discover all of them. You’ll follow the country’s oldest wine route, learning about the history of the area from your seasoned guide as you go; drive through towering mountains and tranquil, vine-filled valleys that will leave you spellbound; sample ostrich carpaccio, nibble on carefully-constructed canapes and taste fresh-from-the-farm olives. That’s without mentioning the wine and there are a number of tastings in store, including an internationally-acclaimed Bordeaux and a unique South African ‘Cape Blend.’ Get a taste for this darling of the Winelands as you're wined and dined by some of the finest estates!

Explore on foot to enjoy changing landscapes, see indigenous plants of the Cape Floral Kingdom up close, spot a jewel-bright sunbird or hear the call of the African fish eagle. You might even see mammals that are protected in the Cederberg wilderness, like Cape mountain zebra, bontebok, bat-eared fox and klipspringer.

Imfolozi Game Reserve, in Zululand, is famously known as the place where the southern white rhino was saved from extinction. It remains the best place to see both white and black species. There are two trail options: one where you stay in and walk out each day from a base camp, and the other where you walk between satellite camps; but fear not, donkeys carry the heavy stuff. The chances of not seeing rhinos here are slim, making it just about the only place left in Africa where that claim can be made. The spectre of Zulu history pervades the place.

It can be tricky to find activities that suit both little and old(er) minds, but dig a little deeper under the surface of the Cape Winelands and you’ll find a variety of activities behind the grape vines. At Spier Wine Estate, the kids will meet rare birds and enjoy a custom-juice tasting (wine tasting for the adults), before heading to the famous Fairview estate to nibble on cheese and meet the resident goats. In the afternoon, there are visits to an artisan chocolatier, glass blowing studio, brewery and distillery to keep everyone entertained – really, there isn’t a moment to get bored!

In any Cape Town brochure, you'll likely see images of tiny, suited penguins waddling over rocks and splashing in the water. On an excursion to Boulders Beach, you'll have the chance to marvel at this sight in person. Nowhere else in the world are you able to be this close to wild African Penguins, as curiosity leads them across the sand towards you. It's also a lovely spot for a swim when you'd like to cool off. If you're visiting between March and May, look out for eggs laid in nests beneath the boulders and bushes. There are around 2500 penguins at Boulders Beach and its an experience you won't soon forget.

Perhaps the most elusive member of the Big Five, the leopard, ranks highly on most safari bucket lists and the private reserves on the western edge of Kruger are just the place to find them. Venture out on a game drive where your expert guide will take you to the known haunts of the local leopards. Although they are masters of camouflage, leopards spend their days draped over tree branches near the Kruger's coursing rivers. Keep your eyes peeled for its distinctive silhouette and swishing tail! We rate the October - November impala calving season to be the best time to do some leopard-spotting, and you may even watch in amazement as the big cat nabs their prey and drags it up a tree in a matter of seconds. Whether it's lazily snoozing under the leaves or in the heat of the hunt, seeing a leopard in the wild is unforgettable.

In the morning, you’ll meet your four-legged companion and stride out on a guided ride around the vineyards and estates of the Franschhoek region. With the wind in your hair and the sweet smell of the flora in the air, there’s no better way to experience the beautiful countryside. You'll have a choice of horses and routes to suit your riding level, from fast-paced gallops along mountain passes to lingering walks through the orchards. You'll have worked up an appetite and after lunch in Franschhoek, you'll have the chance to sample the area's finest wines. Bottoms up! If you're visiting in the warmer months (October to March), book a sunset ride when the Winelands are bathed in gold.

The indigenous forest around Knysna are an endless source of delight to ramblers and hikers alike. Take a winding path under the forest canopy, boulder hop across small streams, swim in a pool below a waterfall. Stop to admire huge forest ferns and listen for the call of birds like the Knysna turaco.

This marine expedition starts with a boat trip to Dyer Island and the infamous ‘Shark Alley’, where you’ll dive with the ultimate underwater predator, the great white shark. Whilst the morning is an adventure of the adrenaline-filled variety, the afternoon brings a more sedate activity: wine-tasting. Choose to explore the pretty town of Stanford, the grape-strewn Hemel-en-Aarde Valley or Bot River and enjoy a leisurely lunch amid the vines and a wine-tasting or pairing at one of the many world-class estates in this part of the world.

Schotia is a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. On safari guests are taken as close as possible to get the best viewing of rhino, hippo, giraffe and the king of the beasts, lion! The Schotia Tooth & Claw Safari is a four hour guided game drive in an open Land Rover with a short refreshments and toilet break at the halfway point. After an amazing experience, where you will view more animals than you thought possible, enjoy a delicious dinner which is prepared over an open fire.

Rock engravings are found in many parts of southern Africa and are often associated with mountains and hilltops, as well as springs or places where water collects in depressions in the rock. Most engravings are difficult to date directly and may be tens of thousands, or just a couple of hundred years old. At Tswalu, and surrounding areas, there are several wonderful sites where rock engravings may be seen, and all of these are strongly associated with water.

There’s no time to rest this morning for you’ll be driving into the beautiful Elgin highlands to begin your zip lining adventure. If swinging through the trees on 320-metre long slides doesn’t get your heart racing, we don’t know what will! Once back on solid ground, choose one of the cosy, country restaurants in the region for lunch and then hop in the car with or without a guide for a tasting of the cool-climate wines that the area is famous for.

Rock formations in the Cederberg are beautiful and none more so than the wonder that is the Wolfberg Arch. Your guide will lead you on a spectacular hike into the mountains via the Wolfberg Cracks. It's a long, tough hike but if you're fit the scenery and photographic opportunities make it hugely rewarding.

Every morning and afternoon we cruise the Matlabas River's tranquil bends on the Miss Mara Water Safaris, where elephants come to drink. Pass yawning hippos, watch birds dive for fish and pause for refreshments as your field guide unravels river life mysteries. Glide into the sunset on a safari unlike any other. Departure Time: Incorporated into morning or evening safari

There are few things more iconically African than setting out at dawn in an open game viewing vehicle and watching the crimson sun creep over the horizon as a herd of majestic elephants ambles across the dusty road in front of you.

As one of our all-time favourite days out in Cape Town, a tour down the coast to the Cape Peninsula is always top of the list. Join your seasoned guide for a drive down Chapman's Peak, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world, where you'll make as many photo stops as you like. Journey on to Cape Point, climb the steps to the lighthouse and feel the rush of the wind at what feels like the end of the world, stroll along the beach or hike through the reserve before marvelling at the African penguins of Boulders Beach.

As South Africa's true safari darling, the Kruger is also chock-a-block with critters of the smaller variety. Chuck on your walking boots for a few hours of exploring the reserve on foot, with a seasoned guide to share the secrets of the bush with you. Spy on the plentiful birdlife in one of Africa's largest fever tree forests, examine the earthy trails for porcupine quills and honey badger tracks and spot the shiny shell of a rhino beetle. Adjust your focus to truly appreciate the finer details on this close-up walk through nature. If you're lucky, you may even see a rare and endangered pangolin! This makes a fantastic post-game drive or pre-lunch activity.

The day gets off to a wild and wonderful start at the 220-hectare Villiera Nature Sanctuary, where you’ll game drive amongst giraffe, zebra, springbok and other iconic African wildlife. An MCC (sparkling wine) tasting is up next, paired with a selection of handcrafted chocolates, which might help ease the nerves for your next activity: a meeting with the rare birds of Eagle Encounters, a rehabilitation and conservation centre, and a thrilling visit to a crocodile farm. There’s another wine tasting in there too – just in case!

This tour is as much about spectacular scenery (Hemel-en-Aarde directly translates as ‘Heaven and Earth’ which gives the game away a little!) as it is about darn good wine. The day starts with a drive along the picture-perfect Cape Whale Route through the quaint towns of the Western Cape, taking in views of fynbos-clad hillsides and the dazzling Atlantic Ocean. Once in the idyllic valley protected by the Babylonstoren Mountains, you’ll stop off for a few different wine tastings in which the critically acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay will certainly make an appearance. Living up to its name, the wine estates of Hemel-en-Aarde are certainly unique, from the church-like Ataraxia Wine Lounge on a secluded hilltop, the chart-topping ocean views from La Vierge to the delightful Creation Estate. Lunch is served at its award-winning restaurant that’s a feast for the senses, and in the afternoon, you’ll sabrage your own bottle of bubbly from the region’s only MCC-producer. Add a drive down to nearby Hermanus to your day for a spot of whalewatching!