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With plenty to see and do in South Africa here are a few excursions to make your trip even more memorable.

1. Mandela's Prison Cell Robben Island, near Cape Town
2. World's Largest Open-Air Galleries
   Western Cape & KwaZulu-Natal
3. Whale watching from White Sand Dunes
   Western Cape

Insider's View

On South Africa

South Africa is a country of many contrasts with so much to see and do, you'll need to plan carefully. Virginia Dionisio is here to help. Working with her team across South Africa, Virginia can help us coordinate your best possible vacation experience. Get in touch and we'll work with Virginia to make your dream South African vacation become a reality.

Virginia Dionisio
Photo: Virginia Dionisio

Getting There - When and How

"South Africa is a year round destination where you can pursue just about any special interest! Everything from bird-watching to surfing, wine tasting to hiking, shark-cage diving to game watching, all of which are available year-round throughout the entire country."

"The prime safari areas in South Africa around Kruger National Park are best visited from June through September when the weather is cooler and dry. However, South Africa's wildlife parks have better infrastructure than most parks in Africa, so rains don't necessarily mean the roads will be washed out. There are also many excellent game parks in South Africa's Eastern Cape region which experiences less rain during the winter months than in the north of the country."

"Airlines that service directly to South Africa from North America include South African Airways and Delta airlines which take 15 hours. Other airlines and routes include Emirates via Dubai, Virgin Atlantic via the UK, KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris."

"From Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, there are several shuttle services available into town, as well as the Gautrain, Johannesburg's high-speed train service created in 2009. While there aren't any mass transit trains directly routed to Cape Town, there are a variety of reliable shuttles and buses accessible from Cape Town International Airport. Taxis are also readily available at both airports."

"American and Canadian citizens do not require a visa and may stay in South Africa up to 90 days."

Johannesburg Sunset
Photo: South African Tourism

Top Sights

"Every region of South Africa offers unique experiences. Some of the top sites to visit are:

• Kruger Park (Mpumalanga/Limpopo)
• Table Mountain (Cape Town)
• Robben Island (Cape Town)
• Constitution Hill (Johannesburg)
• Apartheid Museum (Johannesburg)
• Nelson Mandela Square (Johannesburg)
• Victoria's Embankment (Durban)
• Soweto (Johannesburg)
• Cape Winelands (Paarl & Stellenbosch)
• The Big Hole (Kimberley)"

Game Viewing Lodge
Photo: South African Tourism

Favourite Place Off the Beaten Track

"One of my favourite places is the Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village situated within the Entembeni Hills. After fun-filled days of wildlife viewing, shark cage diving, and other thrilling adventures available only in South Africa, this lower-profile village offers one of the most unique experiences in South African culture and history."

"Visitors are immersed into the Zulu culture, as they are given the opportunity to participate in many Zulu traditions - beer brewing, spear making, hut building, pottery and weaving. Traditional song and dance are performed by Zulu natives, who also act as the village's tour guides."

On Safari

"The reserves that I recommend for a top notch safari experience are the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the Kgalagardi Transfrontier. Both safaris offer some of the most outstanding locations for spotting the Big 5 as well as other exotic animals."

"In regards to accommodations, the Sabi Sand provides more of a luxurious lodge selection, while the Kgalagardi Transfrontier offers everything from high-end lodging alternatives to more affordable options."

"The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers one of the simplest, yet riveting safari experiences in all of Africa. One of the best self-drive safari locations in the country, Kruger National Park provides an exhilarating tour catered to every visitor."

Cape Town Beach
Photo: South African Tourism

Not to Be Missed

• Potjie Pot - "South African cuisine is known for its rich stews and flavorful braai, which is always cooked in a potjie pot (a round, three-legged cast-iron cauldron) - a must-have when visiting South Africa."
• Hand-Crafted Beaded Jewellery - "South African jewellery offers some of the greatest examples of meticulous craftsmanship, detailed beading, and stunning designs."

Our thanks to Virginia for providing this valuable, up-to-date information; very helpful in the planning of your exciting vacation/safari in South Africa.

By Susan Milne

IMPORTANT: When booking, ask us for the appropriate supplier brochure for complete details and terms and conditions for your vacations and as well inquire about any possible past guest savings. Offers are space available and may be withdrawn at anytime without prior notice and are not combinable with other offers (unless stated otherwise). All prices, details and offers are subject to change. We are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Articles by Susan Milne

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