Where to go in South Africa

Cape Town is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and to say we are glad to be based here is an understatement! Rising up behind the city bowl is unmistakable Table Mountain, source of beautiful views and endless hiking opportunities. Pound the quirky streets of the city centre for boutique shops, respected galleries and delectable restaurants, or peruse the V&A Waterfront for food with a view. More of a sand-between-your-toes sort of person? Head for the golden beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, or south along the peninsula to Simonstown, with its naval history, bouldered beaches and more than a few penguins. Add gorgeous sunshine and welcoming people and you’ve got yourself a pretty spectacular holiday destination!

The incredible Kruger National Park is undoubtedly southern Africa’s most famous game reserve, well known for its outstanding variety of wildlife. It’s not just the national park that attracts attention either; the enormous private reserves around Kruger – the Sabi Sand and Timbavati to name a couple – are some of the most wildlife-rich areas in the world, packed to the rafters with prowling predators. If you have just a few days for a safari and want to see as much wildlife as possible, then these are the places for you. Here, accommodation ranges from uber-luxurious lodges to simple, tented camps. But whichever you choose, your Kruger safari experience is guaranteed to be one to remember.

For a hedonistic few days of the best kind of indulgence – of food, of wine, of shopping and of breath-taking views – Franschhoek is the bees knees. A tiny yet incredibly buzzy village in the heart of the Winelands, it was established by French Huguenots in 1688 (the name literally means “French Corner”) and became an enclave of European culture and experience. Today, it’s the gastronomic capital of the country and home to the crème-de-la- crème of restaurants and wineries. From Michelin stars to foraged cuisine, and vineyards with boutique winemakers to picnics accompanied by a glass of something cold, epicurean delights abound – and they are all exquisite. Enjoy them from the wine tram, an old-fashioned rail car that rattles around the valley and stops at a selection of farms. Then, once you’ve tasted-tested your way around, take some time to enjoy the stunning natural scenery: mountainous Mont Rochelle reserve is the place to walk or hike in style (and admire the breath-taking views), or hire a bike and peddle around the farm paths and trails. And don’t forget a morning in the village, peeping into the cool-as-a-cucumber galleries and boutiques and sipping coffee and croissants, Parisian-style...

Together with the northern sector, the Sabi Sands Reserve spans 65,000 hectares and has become known as one of the finest wildlife areas in South Africa. Named after the two rivers that run across its vast terrain, the Sabi and the Sand, the reserve has plenty to keep its four-legged residents happy. It also shares a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park so animals can move freely across miles of land. In the south, many of the lodges are set along the rivers, making game drives and bush walks even more spectacular. The reserve is particularly well known for its incredible big cat sightings, especially leopards who enjoy the trees along its rivers as cool hiding spots. You can also look forward to an impressive display of birdlife from eagles to the tiniest kingfisher. In the south, the lodges (all of the luxurious kind!) enjoy a sense of exclusivity in their activities and you’re unlikely to see other visitors whilst out and about.

Also known as Egoli, the Place of Gold, Johannesburg is Southern Africa's economic hub. Most inbound flights will route via Johannesburg, and it's well worth spending a few extra days in this vibrant city. Spend some time at the Apartheid Museum, where South Africa's rocky racial past is laid bare, or head out of town to The Cradle of Humankind, where some of the earliest hominid remains have been un-earthed and are on display at the amazing Maropeng Museum. Enjoy some of the busy restaurants of Sandton, or head into the rejuvenating City Centre of Newtown for a melting pot of African cultures.

After you’ve left Cape Town and before you reach the beginning of the Garden Route, there’s a beautiful stretch of land with picturesque towns dotted among rolling hills, seaside hamlets overlooking white sands and frothy waves, and stunning wildlife and nature reserves that even the locals don’t know about. This is the Western Cape Overberg region, one of the lesser explored parts of South Africa, and one that you should add to your itinerary now. It’s a photographer’s dream, there’s wildlife aplenty and, to top it all, you may well be the only people there – really!