South Africa is surrounded to the west, south and east by the ocean and has a 3 000 km coastline which is swept by two major ocean currents - the warm south-flowing Mozambique-Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela. The former skirts the east and south coasts as far as Cape Agulhas, while the Benguela Current flows northwards along the west coast as far as southern Angola.

The contrast in temperature between these two currents partly accounts for important differences in climate and vegetation between the east and west coasts of South Africa. The contrast also contributes to the big differences in marine life. The South African fishing industry is centered on the west coast, where the cold waters are much richer in oxygen, nitrates, phosphates and plankton than those of the east coast.

The Western Cape is one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions, and for good reason. It is home to the famous Table Mountain, vast winelands, magnificent beaches, world-class restaurants and cosmopolitan entertainment haunts. The Cape boasts exquisite scenery and a myriad of cultures and tourist treasures that are just waiting to be discovered. Situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape is the meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans. Its capital city Cape Town, is dominated by the flat-topped bulk of Table Mountain. The province has South Africa’s fifth largest population, numbering in the region of 4.5 million inhabitants. The story of the Republic of South Africa began in the Western Cape, some 350 years ago, when it was inhabited by the Khoi, San and other Bantu-speaking groups. In the late 15th century European seafarers arrived here in search of a halfway stop on trade routes to the East and thereby changed the face of South African history forever.

Cape Town’s most famous landmark – a quick spin by revolving cable car to the 1 086m summit will give the visitor a grand view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and of course the equally famous South African `Alcatraz’ – Robben Island.

The most visited attraction in Cape Town is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its assortment of shopping, eating, entertainment and sightseeing facilities, all set within a working harbor. The V & A Waterfront is also the gateway to Robben Island, a former prison (now national monument) where a visit is an emotional journey echoing with the sorrows of stalwarts of ‘the struggle’ against apartheid. The island was `home’ to many of South Africa’s freedom fighters including Nelson Mandela.

A stop at Cape Point gives the visitor the opportunity to boast of having been at the most south-westerly point of Africa, where the cold Benguela and the warm Agulhus currents (west and east respectively) meet. Some 26 shipwrecks have been recorded at Cape Point, some of them presenting good diving spots. A funicular takes visitors on scenic trips to an old lighthouse and the spot is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town and you’re in the mountains and valleys of the Winelands – all gracious gabled Cape Dutch homesteads, cask-lined cellars, oak-treed towns and ultra fine restaurants. The towns of Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl are delightful and beg to be explored and savored very slowly, like good wine.

This land of lakes, bays, mountains and forests languishes on the southern coast from Heidelberg to the Eastern Cape`s Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. It’s a nook of the country that offers inspiration to writers and artists whose presence gives the Garden Route a trendy flavor. It is also a top priority of many a foreign visitor.

This coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural wonder. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible – scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more.

Washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with its subtropical coastline, sweeping savannah in the east and magnificent Drakensberg mountain range in the west, generously caters for just about every taste imaginable.

Known as the Kingdom of the Zulu, KwaZulu-Natal is a melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures. This province boasts two World Heritage Sites – the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. KZN offers fantastic beaches, sunny weather, game parks, rolling green hills, numerous sugar cane plantations.

KwaZulu-Natal forms South Africa’s east coast, stretching from Port Edward in the south, to the Mozambique boundary, in the north. From its early days, the province has been the scene of many fierce battles - being the bone of contention between the Zulus and the Voortrekkers; the British Empire and Boer settlers (Anglo-Boer War); the Zulus and the British Empire. KwaZulu-Natal has the largest population in the country with some nine million people living on 92 100 km2 of land.
The KwaZulu coast has one of the greatest harbors on the African continent, Durban, which geographically divides the North and South Coasts. Visitors to KwaZulu-Natal can either disembark at Durban International Airport or the Durban harbor, or make use of the extensive national road network.

Bustling Durban is the hub of the province’s business and industry and pulses with all the energy of a major port city. Luxury hotels abound on Durban’s beachfront, and this city is often referred to as South Africa’s Miami Beach.Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its port is the busiest in South Africa and also one of the 10 largest in the world.

An eco-tourism wonderland of beautiful lakes, swamps, forests and marshlands surrounds the estuary of Lake St Lucia. This area was declared as one of South Africa’s first World Heritage Sites – and is no doubt one of the most beautiful wetlands areas in the world. Some of South Africa`s best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found here at Dukuduku and Kosi Bay. Countless species of animals including hippo, crocodiles and elephant, as well as abundant plant and sea-life are found in this sub-tropical eco-system.

The Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. This mountain wilderness, bordering Lesotho, is a vast national park boasting the highest mountain range in South Africa. Known to the Zulus as the `Barrier of Spears’, the Drakensberg or `Dragon Mountains’ mountain range is truly spectacular. Often referred to as Little Switzerland, this part of the world offers spectacular waterfalls, mountain peaks and rock faces adorned with San rock art. It is a favorite spot for hiking and fly-fishing.

Famous for its rhino conservation program and big five sightings, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is the largest of KZN’s reserves and boasts a fantastic cross section of wildlife. Mkuzi and Ndomo game reserves are also popular and walking safaris in these reserves are spectacular.

Some of the best diving and snorkelling opportunities in South Africa are on offer in Sodwana – a veritable mecca for those who love underwater adventure. The area is also famous for big-game fishing.

The South Coast sees the incredible annual migration of sardines, once a year. Shoals of sardines can be seen in their feeding frenzy as they move from the Natal South Coast to Mozambique. The sardine run is always followed by dolphins, sharks and game fish.

The glorious Dolphin Coast stretches from Umhlanga Rocks, north of Durban, to the mouth of the Tugela River. The area boasts wide beaches and the warm ocean is the perfect playground for dolphins.

Mpumalanga, which means `place where the sun rises’ in the local languages of Siswati and Zulu is one of South Africa’s tourism hotspots, loved by both local and international visitors for its beauty and diversity. This province is home to The Kruger National Park (big five country), exquisite panoramic views, mountains, rivers, caves, trout fishing and birding opportunities, eco-tourism, adventure holidays and the rich offerings of the local Ndebele and Swazi cultures.

Mpumalanga is bordered by Mozambique and Swaziland in the East, and Gauteng in the west. It is situated mainly on the high plateau grasslands of the Middleveld, which roll eastwards for hundreds of kilometres. In the northeast, the land rises towards mountain peaks and then terminates in an immense escarpment. In some places, this escarpment plunges hundreds of metres down to the low-lying area known as the Lowveld. Even though it is one of the smaller provinces (79 490 km2 in surface area), Mpumalanga is home to some three million people.

The tourism possibilities of this province are as diverse as the landscape itself. As the safari capital of the country, the major draw card to the area is the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Mpumalanga has a lot more to offer than the big five – it is a scenically magnificent province and boasts a rich cultural heartland where visitors can embrace the warm-hearted spirit of Africa. Forests, pristine waters and trout fishing opportunities abound and there is no shortage of adventure activities, such as rock-climbing, abseiling and other high-adrenalin activities, on offer.

One of the major tourist attractions of the country, the Kruger National Park is among South Africa’s finest assets. Well-equipped to offer big five safaris, the park includes a large number of accommodation options, ranging from some of the best private game lodges in the world to very affordable rest camps. This famous park boasts over 140 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds, not to mention a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, flora and fauna. A wildlife wonderland, this enormous sanctuary is a must-see for any and every visitor to South Africa.

A number of private camps and lodges are on offer in the areas surrounding the Kruger National Park. The Sabi Sands is renowned for being home to some of the best African game lodges in the world, bar none. These lodges are known worldwide for their exclusivity and top-of-the-range accommodation. Here, private safaris are simply par for the course, conducted by qualified rangers in open-air vehicles. These lodges are all about attention to detail, personal service and a true Out of Africa experience in unique comfort.

Although it is the smallest of the country’s nine provinces, Gauteng (a Sotho word for the Place of Gold), is the commercial and industrial powerhouse of southern Africa. Gauteng is where the creative spirit of a nation converges in a dense, cultural heartland. It is the intersection of African and global trade – incorporating Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto. Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life, from all corners of the world.

Gauteng`s primary attraction is big business, but there is so much more to this province. There is a wealth of culture to be mined in the museums, galleries, art routes and historical battlefields. Gauteng is also an entertainment playground, offering a plethora of world-class restaurants, shebeens, shopping malls and music venues.

Johannesburg dates back to 1886 when the main Witwatersrand gold-bearing reef was discovered. Almost immediately, the Transvaal (as it was known then) was swamped by diggers from near and far. In 1900, Johannesburg fell to the British (during the Anglo-Boer War). Around this time, the black townships were established - such as Sophiatown and Alexandra. The thirties gave birth to the township of Orlando - in the southwest of Johannesburg. This is the area around which Soweto evolved. Much of the history of the province was defined by apartheid and forced removals. Johannesburg, also nicknamed Egoli, is the capital of the province. Here, mine dumps stand firmly as symbols of its rich past, while modern architecture rubs shoulders with examples of 19th century engineering prowess. Gleaming skyscrapers contrast with Indian bazaars and African `muti` (medicine) shops, where traditional healers dispense advice and traditional medicine. The busy streets ring out with the call of fruit sellers and street vendors. An exciting blend of ethnic and Western art and cultural activities is reflected in theatres and open-air arenas, throughout the city.

The Highveld is said to offer one of the world’s best climates: summer days are warm and wind-free (relatively) and winter days are crisp and clear. Gauteng’s summer-rainfall area has hot summers and mild winters with frost. Hail is common during the summer thunderstorms. Snowfalls rarely occur.

Your choices of experiences are essentially limitless, but a small taste of what you might choose to do include exploring the magnificent Cape wine routes on horseback or undertaking a walking safari in one of the many gorgeously endowed national parks.

You`ve landed in adventure heaven. Whatever your particular preference, there is bound to be an adventure to keep you happy. South Africa has some of the best climbing in the world. Their two oceans offer fantastic diving, surfing and sea kayaking.

River trips range from mostly scenic to grade five white water washing machines. There are over a hundred listed paragliding or hang gliding launch sites.

Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails wind around the country, in desert, forest, mountain or coast, and many have mountain bike trails as well. There are wonderful easy horse trails through vineyards, on the beach or in the mountains and, for the adventurous, horseback safaris in big game country. For something combining adrenalin, peace, tranquility, and sheer beauty, try the tree-top canopy tour in Tsitsikamma.

If it`s adrenalin you`re after, try the highest bungi jump in the world (off the Bloukrans Bridge in the Western Cape), shark diving in Gansbaai or scuba diving on the KwaZulu Natal coast. You`ll be spoilt for choice if you`re looking for full-throttle outdoor adventure - all our provinces offer a huge range of such activities from abseiling and hiking to fishing, mountain biking, surfing and hangliding. All in some of the most majestic settings you`re ever likely to experience.

If you`re worried about the environment - be assured that they are too! Their conservationist ethic is well represented by their National Parks, and their tourism development initiatives are squarely focused on the protection of South Africa’s natural habitat and the ongoing revitalization of local communities. There`s something about this country that simply cannot be expressed. That`s the something you need to discover yourself. So get packing!