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So much to do, so little time. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small problem to have during a trip to South Africa! But having said that, it’s worth considering what really takes your fancy and tailoring your trip accordingly. Below are a few suggestions – and don’t fret if you can’t decide; there’s always the option to combine a few different preferences…
Wildlife
The opportunity to encounter the famous Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino) is of course one of South Africa’s biggest draw cards (not to mention whales, penguins and the like). But the choice can be somewhat overwhelming – should you venture to the renowned Kruger National Park, a private game reserve such as Sabi Sands, or head east to the malaria-free Madikwe? Timbuktu to the rescue! Our trip Grapes and Great Plains will have you wildlife-watching in Kruger and grape-tasting in the Cape Winelands, whilst A Safari with Something Different will take you to the country’s hidden corners in search of animals. And there’s plenty more where they came from…
Foodie
When it comes to food, Cape Town is the place to be – you could literally spend a few months here eating your way around the city and its surrounds (and some people do). Bree Street is still foodie central and eateries along the inner-city road open at an almost alarming rate. The last few years have also seen the emergence of several interesting new concepts, from quirky food experiences provider Eatsplorer (edible flower master class anyone?) to Dine4Six, a company that encourages single travellers to come together and mingle over dinner. And if you’re still having trouble deciding, check out our favourite city restaurants right here.
Hike
Avid hikers should head to the Drakensberg, Southern Africa’s highest and most extensive mountain range. Spread out over three provinces (the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal), it features breathtaking routes for all levels, from the moderate five-hour Injisuthi Battle Cave Walk to the rather serious three-day Bell Traverse. Alternatively, book a walking safari at Umfolozi Game Reserve in Zululand – a great way to combine exercise with game spotting. Whether you stay at a base camp or move between satellite camps, the fact that this is the best place in South Africa to see both white and black rhino means that close encounters are (almost) guaranteed.
Festivals
Do music festivals usually remind you of mud, rain and soggy burgers? Think again – South African festivals are an altogether more glamorous experience, usually involving glamping, hip food trucks and floating in a river on a lilo, not to forget top-notch music. “Up the Creek” on the Breede River features a river stage, while “Oppikoppi”, one of the country’s longest-running music festivals, takes place on a farm in Limpopo, and all-out party “Rocking the Daisies” on a wine estate in the Cape Winelands. For a surreal music-art-performance mash-up, head to the Karoo Desert for “AfrikaBurn” – Africa’s answer to Burning Man.
Culture
For a cultural fix with a hint of street flair, head to Johannesburg’s flourishing Maboneng district. The area’s transformation began a few years ago with the launch of Arts on Main – a block of abandoned warehouses that today house a cool mix of tenants, including galleries, restaurants and an independent cinema (with further developments currently in the works). Book a walking tour with Past Experiences to get the lowdown on Maboneng’s thriving graffiti subculture. Accommodation-wise, walk in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps at the refined Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst, his post-prison home where he edited his autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.
Surf
Getting on your board here may require a wetsuit rather than board shorts, but there’s no denying that South Africa is a surf hot spot – from the mellow waters at Muizenberg, to the more tropical conditions in Durban, and the pro-waves in Jeffreys Bay (which holds the annual “JBay Winterfest”, the place to watch the pros doing what they do best). Then there’s Blouberg and Langebaan for those who prefer to add a kite to their board – and make sure you pop in to nearby Paternoster for a bite to eat afterwards. In short, no matter where you are along South Africa’s coast, chances are you’ll find a world-class spot to hit the waves.
Wellness
Some of today’s multi-faceted wine farms have turned into proper wellness destinations. Take Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands – four elegant spa suites, half- or full-day Journey Packages and an infinity pool with what must be one of the best views in the Western Cape. Then there’s Leeu Estates, one of several exciting developments in Franschhoek by Indian businessman Analjit Singh. Mr Singh doesn’t do things by half, so you can expect the best of the best. As with Delaire Graff, a spa day here can be combined with a plush stay, fine dining and jaw-dropping art pieces. Oh, and wine.
Art & History
Cape Town may be South Africa’s new contemporary art hub but art aficionados may also be interested in exploring the works of “somewhat older” artists out in the wild – mankind’s oldest nation, to be precise. The bushmen of the Cederberg used to stain rocks with oxide pigments, depicting a cultural legacy that has resulted in over 130 well preserved rock art sites – some over 10 000 years old. The custodian of these precious sites is Bushmans Kloof – an idyllic hideaway that offers guided rock art tours (and a few other things to aid blissful relaxation).
Escape
Need to get away from the strenuous demands of daily life? For a spot of wilderness solitude, a treehouse stay is the way to go. Tsala Treetop Lodge is set high up amongst a dense indigenous forest near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route – check into one of the secluded suites or villas and you’ll immediately feel transported to another world far, far away from city life. Alternatively, if you happen to be on safari at Lion Sands, book one of the game lodge’s three treehouses for a night under the stars surrounded by wildlife. It’s as remote as it gets!
