Cape Town and Peninsula

A favorite South African topic of debate is whether Cape Town really is part of Africa. That’s how different it is, both from the rest of the

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, or Jo'burg, Egoli ("City of Gold"), or Jozi, as it is affectionately known by locals, is the commercial heart of South Africa

Durban

Durban has the pulse, the look, and the complex face of Africa. It may have something to do with the summer heat, a clinging sauna that soaks

Cape Town Central

In Cape Town's city center, moderately sized glass-and-steel office blocks soar over street vendors selling everything from seasonal fruit and

Kimberly

Kimberley was born in the dust, dreams, and disappointments of a rudimentary mining camp that grew into a city of grace and sophistication in

Northern Suburbs

Johannesburg has dozens of northern suburbs, ranging in size from the huge and diverse Sandton, which includes the entire township of Alexandra

Stellenbosch

You could easily while away a week in this small, sophisticated, beautiful, and absolutely delightful town. South Africa's second-oldest municipality

Southern Suburbs

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront is the culmination of a long-term project undertaken to breathe new life into the historical

Paarl

Paarl takes its name from the granite domes of Paarl Mountain, which looms above the town— paarl is Dutch for "pearl." The first farmers settled

Little Karoo

The landscape of the Little Karoo—austere, minimal, and dry—stands in stark contrast to the Garden Route. In summer it resembles a blast furnace

Kruger National Park

Visiting Kruger is likely to be one of the greatest experiences of your life, truly providing ultimate "Wow!" moments. You'll be amazed at the

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

This is the most famous and exclusive of South Africa's private reserves. Collectively owned and managed, the 153,000-acre reserve near Kruger

East London

The gateway to both the Wild Coast and Amatole, East London was built around the mouth of the Buffalo River, which forms South Africa's only

Knysna

Knysna (pronounced nize -nuh) is one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route. The focus of the town is the beautiful Knysna Lagoon

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's premier beach resort, as the empty houses on Beachy Head Road (known as Millionaires' Mile) during the 11

Franschhoek

Franschhoek (French Corner) takes its name from its first white settlers, French Huguenots who fled to the Cape to escape Catholic persecution

Umhlanga

Umhlanga's village charm and lovely beaches have entrenched it as one of the most sought-after vacation destinations for locals and foreigners

Hermanus

Pristine beaches extend as far as the eye can see, and the Kleinriviersberg provides a breathtaking backdrop to this popular resort, the Overberg

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn has been famous for its ostriches since around 1870, when farmers began raising them to satisfy the European demand for feathers

The Magaliesberg

The Magaliesberg Mountains (actually rolling hills) stretch 120 km (74 miles) between Pretoria and the town of Rustenburg. The South African

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, or PE, may not have the range of attractions found in Cape Town or on the Garden Route, but it's a pleasant town that's worthy

Grahamstown

Although billed as a city, Grahamstown looks more like an English village than anything else—if you discount that alter ego of most South African

Pretoria

The city of Pretoria lies within the greater Tshwane metropolitan area, which was formed in 2000 when Pretoria and its surrounding areas—Centurion

Gardens

An affluent city neighborhood, Gardens is populated largely by young professionals. Gardens has numerous restaurants, cafés, hotels, and shops

George

About 11 km (7 miles) from the sea, George is the largest town and the de facto capital of the Garden Route. Although the surrounding countryside

Morningside

Dating back to Durban’s colonial past, Morningside is an upscale suburb featuring prestigious residential properties such as the Dr John L Dube

Addo Elephant National Park

Upington

Home to about 74,000 residents, Upington is a thriving agricultural center on the north bank of the Orange River. In the 1870s a Koranna (a

Simon's Town

Picturesque Simon's Town has many lovely old buildings and possibly the peninsula's best swimming beaches at Seaforth and Boulders, a gem that

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

If you're looking for true wilderness, remoteness, and stark, almost surreal landscapes and you're not averse to forgoing luxury and getting

Constantia

The most upmarket of the so-called Southern Suburbs, this primarily residential zone is home to several of the Cape’s oldest wine estates, and

Swellendam

Beautiful Swellendam lies in the shadow of the imposing Langeberg Range. in 1745, it is the third-oldest town in South Africa, and many of its

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay's main attractions are an excellent museum complex; several beautiful historic stone buildings (some of which are exceptionally well

Clanwilliam

Although the town itself is uninspiring, it's no surprise that half the streets are named after trees or plants. Clanwilliam is at the edge

Pilgrim's Rest

The charming (although very touristy) village of Pilgrim's Rest—also a national monument—dates back to the 1870s gold-rush days when it was

Cradle of Humankind

This World Heritage Site stretches over an area of about 470 square km (181 square miles), with about 300 caves. Inside these caves,

Kleinmond

The sleepy coastal town of Kleinmond (Small Mouth) presides over a magnificent stretch of shoreline, backed by the mountains of the Palmietberg

Wilderness

Wilderness is a popular vacation resort for good reason. Backed by thickly forested hills and cliffs, the tiny town presides over a magical

Springbok

The capital of Namaqualand is set in a bowl of rocky hills that form part of the Klipkoppe, a rocky escarpment that stretches from Steinkopf

Tulbagh

Founded in 1743, the town of Tulbagh is nestled in a secluded valley bound by the Witzenberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains. A devastating earthquake

Beachfront

Of any place in Durban, the Beachfront most defines the city. Either you'll hate it for its commercial glitz, or love it for its endless activity

Hout Bay

About 25-minutes’ drive from Cape Town Central, this once-quiet fishing village on the Atlantic coast is the gateway to Chapman’s Peak Drive

Somerset West (Helderberg)

Somerset West, nestled at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains, is just 30 minutes from the center of Cape Town and close to Gordon's Bay and

City Center

Although the city center is experiencing a revival, it's not a place everyone will choose to visit. You'll find plenty to do downtown, including

Darling

Darling is best known for three draws: its beautiful wildflowers; its sensational performer, Pieter-Dirk Uys, otherwise known as Evita Bezuidenhout

Kalk Bay

This small, fascinating harbor, which shelters a weathered fishing fleet, takes its name from the seashells that were once baked in large kilns

Langebaan

Probably the most popular destination on the coast, Langebaan is a great base from which to explore the region, and the sheltered lagoon makes

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Also known as the Motlatse Canyon Nature Reserve, this breathtakingly beautiful 71,660 acres of red sandstone mountains, gorges, and grassland

Soweto and the South

An acronym for So uth We stern To wnships, Soweto was founded in 1904, when city councilors used an outbreak of bubonic plague as an excuse

City Center

The center of the city is indicative of South Africa's third-world status and first-world leanings. Large office buildings dominate streets

Richards Bay

Founded in the 1880s during the Anglo-Zulu colonial wars, Richards Bay was named after British Rear Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards,

Robertson

Robertson was founded primarily to service the surrounding farms, and it retains its agricultural and industrial character. The town largely

Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel

Drive through the small agricultural town of Malmesbury and over the Bothman's Kloof Pass to these twin towns named after Jan van Riebeeck,

Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi, early pastoralists who lived in this area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, called these falls Aukoerabis (Place

Storms River

Although it's a small, isolated village, Storms River absolutely buzzes with activity. A hotel, a couple of guesthouses, and a few backpackers

Montagu

Montagu bills itself as "the Gateway to the Little Karoo," and its picturesque streets lined with Cape Victorian architecture lend this some

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Where Phinda excels is in the superb quality of its rangers, who can provide fascinating commentary on everything from local birds to frogs

Berea

Durban’s colonial past is very much evident in this suburb overlooking the city. Built on a ridge above the sea, it’s characterized by old homes

Paternoster

Paternoster is a mostly unspoiled village of whitewashed thatch cottages perched on a deserted stretch of coastline. The population here consists

Bredasdorp

This sleepy agricultural town has a certain charm, as long as you don't catch it on a Sunday afternoon, when everything's closed and an air

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The 150,000-acre Pilanesberg Game Reserve is often called the Pilanesberg National Park. It isn’t actually a South African national park these

Table Mountain National Park

Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and rich biodiversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area. Large

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Renowned for its conservation successes—most notably with white rhinos—this reserve is a wonderful place to view the Big Five and many other

Ladysmith

Ladysmith, dating back to the middle of the 19th century, became famous around the world during the South African War, when it outlasted a Boer

Sun City

A huge entertainment and resort complex in the middle of dry bushveld in the North West Province, Sun City is popular with golfers and families

Hazyview

Named for the heat haze that drifts up from the fruit plantations and bush in the surrounding area, Hazyview is a bustling little town. Situated

Worcester

You're unlikely to linger in Worcester, by far the largest town in the Breede River valley. It's often termed the region's capital by locals

Djuma Private Game Reserve

This 17,297-acre reserve sits right up against Kruger in the northeast corner of the world-famous Sabi Sand Reserve. Expect classic bushveld

Londolozi Game Reserve

Since its inception in 1974 (it was a family farm and retreat before that), Londolozi has become synonymous with South Africa's finest game

Timbavati Game Reserve

The 185,000-acre Timbavati, the northernmost of the private reserves, is collectively owned and managed by the Timbavati Association, a nonprofit

Sabie

As you descend Long Tom Pass, the town of Sabie (sah-bee) comes into view far below, in a bowl formed by the surrounding mountains. It's by

Tokai

Between Constantia and the beginning of the Cape Peninsula, this largely residential area (and effectively the southern end of the Southern

Indian District

The biggest Indian population outside of India resides in Durban, and the influence on the city is much in evidence, from the architecture to

Newlands

This leafy residential suburb is famous for its many schools and as the entry for the Newlands Forest, a part of Table Mountain National Park.

Barkly West

The town of Barkly West, on the Vaal River, was the site of some of the earliest alluvial diamond diggings in South Africa.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Parktown, Parkview, Saxonwold, and Westcliff

Perched on the Braamfontein Ridge, Parktown was once the address du jour for the city's early mining magnates. Most of the magnificent houses

Manyeleti Game Reserve

North of Sabi Sand, Manyeleti Private Game Reserve ("the place of the stars" in Shangaan) covers 59,280 acres that border Kruger, Sabi Sand

Madikwe Game Reserve

Just as leopards and Sabi Sand Game Reserve are synonymous, think of Madikwe Game Reserve and wild dogs in the same way. This is probably your

Rorke's Drift

From the British perspective the Battle of Rorke’s Drift was the most glorious battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, all the more so because it took

Tsitsikamma

Administered as its own park, the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is a narrow belt of coastline extending for 80 km (50

Dundee

Once a busy coal-mining town, Dundee still has straight roads wide enough for the ox wagons of pioneer days to turn in, but today it's just

Kamieskroon

Another base for exploring Namaqualand in spring, Kamieskroon is the only place to stay close to Namaqua National Park—unless you’re in the

Mthatha

Mthatha is largely poor and overcrowded, and a little dilapidated, though it’s certainly not boring. Most people don't stay here beyond making

Betty's Bay

Betty's Bay, or Betty's, as the hamlet is fondly known, is worth visiting for its penguins and botanical garden. The village is made up of retirees

Greyton

The charming village of Greyton, filled with white thatch cottages and quiet lanes, is a popular weekend retreat for Capetonians as well as

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Founded in 1978 at the southern end of Sabi Sand, the multi-award-winning Sabi Sabi Game Reserve was one of the first reserves to offer photo

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Roughly the size of Singapore, this enormous private wildlife reserve supports a free-roaming population of wild animals that were indigenous

MalaMala Game Reserve

This legendary game reserve (designated as such in 1929) is tops in its field. The first and only community-owned game reserve in Sabi Sand

White River

This pleasant little town is set amid nut and tropical-fruit plantations and is one of the gateways to the escarpment's major sights. Settled

Kommetjie

A pleasant, somewhat isolated village, Kommetjie has a scenic 45-minute walk down Long Beach that leads to the wreck of the Kakapo, a steamship

Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve

Expect great swaths of pale, creamy sand stretching to far-off rocky headlands, a shimmering, undulating horizon where whales blow. Watch out

uMkhuze KZN Park

Wildlife—and amazing birdlife—abounds in this 400-square-km (154-square-mile) reserve in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains. Lying between the

McGregor

Saved from development as a result of a planned mountain pass that never materialized, McGregor is the epitome of the sleepy country hollow

Citrusdal

As you might guess from the name, Citrusdal is a fruit-growing town. It sits by the Olifants River valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Cederberg

Oaklands

Oaklands is an old residential suburb not far from Rosebank and Melrose. It’s known for its wide streets, large homes (most often behind high

Samara Private Game Reserve

Coffee Bay

The village of Coffee Bay is a bit run-down, but the beaches and the scenery are great. (The surf is fantastic, but don't head out alone if

Cape St Francis

Weaving its way between beautiful nature reserves, indigenous fynbos, wetlands, plush marinas, and rolling sand dunes, Cape St Francis is a

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

Situated along the Sabie River, this reserve has one of the best locations in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. All of the lodges overlook the river

Thanda Private Game Reserve

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s newer game reserves, Thanda offers a more intimate nature experience than some. Game may sometimes be elusive, but the

Kuruman

If you have a car while in the Kalahari region, it's worth stopping in Kuruman, the hub of a dairy, cattle, and game-farming area. With flat

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, at 1,000 square km (386 square miles) the largest privately

Singita

Although Singita (Shangaan for "the miracle") offers much the same thrilling Sabi Sand bush and game experiences as other lodges, superb service

Babanango

The tiny hamlet of Babanango is a major agricultural center.

Maydon Wharf

Maydon Wharf is an extensive cargo handling section of Durban’s harbor, sandwiched between the suburb of Congella and the ocean. Its northern

Cintsa

This lovely, quiet little seaside town a half-hour drive from East London is a winner. A nice long beach, pretty rock pools, and a beautiful

De Rust

De Rust is a sleepy Little Karoo village. The main road is lined with crafts stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and wineshops.

Hogsback

This peaceful and picturesque village is the perfect place from which to embark on some of South Africa’s best hiking trails and experience

Greenside and Emmarentia

Close to Rosebank, the suburb of Greenside is filled with popular restaurants. Gleneagles Road is lined with small eateries, including Italian

Port Nolloth

Port Nolloth—a lovely drive from Springbok, particularly during flower time—started life as a copper port, but it's better known today as a

Spioenkop

The Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902) (now called South African War) was the biggest, the longest, the costliest, the bloodiest, and the most

Amazulu Private Game Reserve and AmaKhosi Lodge

Amazulu Private Game Reserve incorporates mountains, wetlands, and savanna and in addition to the Big Five, many other mammals and hundreds

Roodepoort

Roodepoort is a residential suburb to the west of Johannesburg in what is known as the West Rand, a drive of about 45 minutes to an hour from

Shakaland

If you're interested in learning more about the fierce warrior Shaka Zulu or the Zulu people, this living history museum will give you a glimpse

Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)

Although its official name is Waenhuiskrans, and that's what you'll see on maps, this lovely, isolated vacation village is almost always called

Kapama Private Game Reserve

The 32,123-acre Kapama Private Game Reserve, the area's largest single-owned private reserve, here, and it boasts some high-end luxury lodges

Isandlwana

The name of Isandlwana went down in British military history on January 22, 1879, when the then mighty British Empire suffered a resounding

Exeter Private Game Reserve

Established in 1937, Exeter, at 160,600 acres, was an original part of Sabi Sands when it was incorporated in the 1960s. Its lodges are now

Ithala Game Reserve

The topography of this reserve, from mountaintop to deep river valleys, incorporates varied terrain and plantlife, and makes for superior game

Alicedale

A tiny settlement west of Grahamstown, Alicedale was once an important railway town. The demise of the steam train, however, sent Alicedale

Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve

Chatsworth

The predominantly Indian inner-city suburb of Chatsworth is a vibrant, cosmopolitan mix of old and new architecture complemented by myriad home

Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is the historic home of the city's Muslim population, brought from the East as slaves in the late 17th and early 18th century. The Auwal

Rondebosch

Home to the main campus of the University of Cape Town, this suburb sits along the eastern slope of Table Mountain.

Durban North and Glenashley

Along the eastern coastline north of the Umgeni River, you’ll find the well-established middle- to upper-income suburb of Durban North, the

Rosebank

Lying largely in the shadow and protection of Table Mountain, this southern suburb is known for its leafy, affluent charm. Home to the University

Bulungula

Bulungula is a tiny community near the mouth of the Bulungula River, about a 25-km (16-mile) walk from Coffee Bay's Hole-in-the-Wall. There

Cato Manor

This neighborhood came about when black South Africans settled in the area during the 1920s, renting land from Indian landlords. The area saw

Victoria Embankment

Margaret Mncadi Avenue (formerly Victoria Embankment or the Esplanade) skirts Durban harbor from Maydon Wharf with its sugar terminal in the

Glenwood

Dotted with parks, schools, churches and sports clubs, Glenwood is a quiet family suburb. Helen Joseph Road is the social hub, where restaurants

Graskop

Graskop (translation: "grass head") was so named because of the abundance of grassveld and few trees. Like so many of the little towns in this

Greyville

Between the foot of the Berea ridge and the beachfront, this suburb of older homes and apartment blocks is dominated by the legendary Greyville

Griquatown

If you are driving from Kimberley to Upington, make a stop in Griquatown. The town, locally known as Griekwastad, was the center of a 19th-century

Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), the capital of Mpumalanga and home of the provincial government, is a modern, vibrant subtropical city of nearly

Garies

Garies is a one-horse town cradled amid sunbaked, granite-dominated hills, and one of the best flower routes runs just north of it for 100 km

Thornybush Nature Reserve

Situated within 34,594 acres of pristine wilderness, adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park in Limpopo, Thornybush Nature Reserve is set

Elands Bay

Mention eBay auctions here, and most people will stare at you blankly. But mention the E'bay left-hand break, and you'll get nods of approval

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve

Cape Town and Peninsula

A favorite South African topic of debate is whether Cape Town really is part of Africa. That’s how different it is, both from the rest of the

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, or Jo'burg, Egoli ("City of Gold"), or Jozi, as it is affectionately known by locals, is the commercial heart of South Africa

Durban

Durban has the pulse, the look, and the complex face of Africa. It may have something to do with the summer heat, a clinging sauna that soaks

Kimberly

Kimberley was born in the dust, dreams, and disappointments of a rudimentary mining camp that grew into a city of grace and sophistication in

Stellenbosch

You could easily while away a week in this small, sophisticated, beautiful, and absolutely delightful town. South Africa's second-oldest municipality

Paarl

Paarl takes its name from the granite domes of Paarl Mountain, which looms above the town— paarl is Dutch for "pearl." The first farmers settled

Little Karoo

The landscape of the Little Karoo—austere, minimal, and dry—stands in stark contrast to the Garden Route. In summer it resembles a blast furnace

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's premier beach resort, as the empty houses on Beachy Head Road (known as Millionaires' Mile) during the 11

East London

The gateway to both the Wild Coast and Amatole, East London was built around the mouth of the Buffalo River, which forms South Africa's only

Knysna

Knysna (pronounced nize -nuh) is one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route. The focus of the town is the beautiful Knysna Lagoon

Franschhoek

Franschhoek (French Corner) takes its name from its first white settlers, French Huguenots who fled to the Cape to escape Catholic persecution

Umhlanga

Umhlanga's village charm and lovely beaches have entrenched it as one of the most sought-after vacation destinations for locals and foreigners

Hermanus

Pristine beaches extend as far as the eye can see, and the Kleinriviersberg provides a breathtaking backdrop to this popular resort, the Overberg

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn has been famous for its ostriches since around 1870, when farmers began raising them to satisfy the European demand for feathers

Grahamstown

Although billed as a city, Grahamstown looks more like an English village than anything else—if you discount that alter ego of most South African

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, or PE, may not have the range of attractions found in Cape Town or on the Garden Route, but it's a pleasant town that's worthy

George

About 11 km (7 miles) from the sea, George is the largest town and the de facto capital of the Garden Route. Although the surrounding countryside

Upington

Home to about 74,000 residents, Upington is a thriving agricultural center on the north bank of the Orange River. In the 1870s a Koranna (a

Simon's Town

Picturesque Simon's Town has many lovely old buildings and possibly the peninsula's best swimming beaches at Seaforth and Boulders, a gem that

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay's main attractions are an excellent museum complex; several beautiful historic stone buildings (some of which are exceptionally well

Swellendam

Beautiful Swellendam lies in the shadow of the imposing Langeberg Range. in 1745, it is the third-oldest town in South Africa, and many of its

Pilgrim's Rest

The charming (although very touristy) village of Pilgrim's Rest—also a national monument—dates back to the 1870s gold-rush days when it was

Clanwilliam

Although the town itself is uninspiring, it's no surprise that half the streets are named after trees or plants. Clanwilliam is at the edge

Tulbagh

Founded in 1743, the town of Tulbagh is nestled in a secluded valley bound by the Witzenberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains. A devastating earthquake

Wilderness

Wilderness is a popular vacation resort for good reason. Backed by thickly forested hills and cliffs, the tiny town presides over a magical

Kleinmond

The sleepy coastal town of Kleinmond (Small Mouth) presides over a magnificent stretch of shoreline, backed by the mountains of the Palmietberg

Springbok

The capital of Namaqualand is set in a bowl of rocky hills that form part of the Klipkoppe, a rocky escarpment that stretches from Steinkopf

Somerset West (Helderberg)

Somerset West, nestled at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains, is just 30 minutes from the center of Cape Town and close to Gordon's Bay and

Darling

Darling is best known for three draws: its beautiful wildflowers; its sensational performer, Pieter-Dirk Uys, otherwise known as Evita Bezuidenhout

Kalk Bay

This small, fascinating harbor, which shelters a weathered fishing fleet, takes its name from the seashells that were once baked in large kilns

Langebaan

Probably the most popular destination on the coast, Langebaan is a great base from which to explore the region, and the sheltered lagoon makes

Richards Bay

Founded in the 1880s during the Anglo-Zulu colonial wars, Richards Bay was named after British Rear Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards,

Storms River

Although it's a small, isolated village, Storms River absolutely buzzes with activity. A hotel, a couple of guesthouses, and a few backpackers

Montagu

Montagu bills itself as "the Gateway to the Little Karoo," and its picturesque streets lined with Cape Victorian architecture lend this some

Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel

Drive through the small agricultural town of Malmesbury and over the Bothman's Kloof Pass to these twin towns named after Jan van Riebeeck,

Robertson

Robertson was founded primarily to service the surrounding farms, and it retains its agricultural and industrial character. The town largely

Paternoster

Paternoster is a mostly unspoiled village of whitewashed thatch cottages perched on a deserted stretch of coastline. The population here consists

Bredasdorp

This sleepy agricultural town has a certain charm, as long as you don't catch it on a Sunday afternoon, when everything's closed and an air

Hazyview

Named for the heat haze that drifts up from the fruit plantations and bush in the surrounding area, Hazyview is a bustling little town. Situated

Ladysmith

Ladysmith, dating back to the middle of the 19th century, became famous around the world during the South African War, when it outlasted a Boer

Worcester

You're unlikely to linger in Worcester, by far the largest town in the Breede River valley. It's often termed the region's capital by locals

Kamieskroon

Another base for exploring Namaqualand in spring, Kamieskroon is the only place to stay close to Namaqua National Park—unless you’re in the

Tsitsikamma

Administered as its own park, the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is a narrow belt of coastline extending for 80 km (50

Mthatha

Mthatha is largely poor and overcrowded, and a little dilapidated, though it’s certainly not boring. Most people don't stay here beyond making

Dundee

Once a busy coal-mining town, Dundee still has straight roads wide enough for the ox wagons of pioneer days to turn in, but today it's just

Rorke's Drift

From the British perspective the Battle of Rorke’s Drift was the most glorious battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, all the more so because it took

Barkly West

The town of Barkly West, on the Vaal River, was the site of some of the earliest alluvial diamond diggings in South Africa.

Sabie

As you descend Long Tom Pass, the town of Sabie (sah-bee) comes into view far below, in a bowl formed by the surrounding mountains. It's by

Betty's Bay

Betty's Bay, or Betty's, as the hamlet is fondly known, is worth visiting for its penguins and botanical garden. The village is made up of retirees

Greyton

The charming village of Greyton, filled with white thatch cottages and quiet lanes, is a popular weekend retreat for Capetonians as well as

White River

This pleasant little town is set amid nut and tropical-fruit plantations and is one of the gateways to the escarpment's major sights. Settled

Citrusdal

As you might guess from the name, Citrusdal is a fruit-growing town. It sits by the Olifants River valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Cederberg

Kommetjie

A pleasant, somewhat isolated village, Kommetjie has a scenic 45-minute walk down Long Beach that leads to the wreck of the Kakapo, a steamship

McGregor

Saved from development as a result of a planned mountain pass that never materialized, McGregor is the epitome of the sleepy country hollow

Kuruman

If you have a car while in the Kalahari region, it's worth stopping in Kuruman, the hub of a dairy, cattle, and game-farming area. With flat

Cintsa

This lovely, quiet little seaside town a half-hour drive from East London is a winner. A nice long beach, pretty rock pools, and a beautiful

Babanango

The tiny hamlet of Babanango is a major agricultural center.

Coffee Bay

The village of Coffee Bay is a bit run-down, but the beaches and the scenery are great. (The surf is fantastic, but don't head out alone if

Cape St Francis

Weaving its way between beautiful nature reserves, indigenous fynbos, wetlands, plush marinas, and rolling sand dunes, Cape St Francis is a

De Rust

De Rust is a sleepy Little Karoo village. The main road is lined with crafts stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and wineshops.

Hogsback

This peaceful and picturesque village is the perfect place from which to embark on some of South Africa’s best hiking trails and experience

Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)

Although its official name is Waenhuiskrans, and that's what you'll see on maps, this lovely, isolated vacation village is almost always called

Shakaland

If you're interested in learning more about the fierce warrior Shaka Zulu or the Zulu people, this living history museum will give you a glimpse

Spioenkop

The Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902) (now called South African War) was the biggest, the longest, the costliest, the bloodiest, and the most

Port Nolloth

Port Nolloth—a lovely drive from Springbok, particularly during flower time—started life as a copper port, but it's better known today as a

Alicedale

A tiny settlement west of Grahamstown, Alicedale was once an important railway town. The demise of the steam train, however, sent Alicedale

Isandlwana

The name of Isandlwana went down in British military history on January 22, 1879, when the then mighty British Empire suffered a resounding

Garies

Garies is a one-horse town cradled amid sunbaked, granite-dominated hills, and one of the best flower routes runs just north of it for 100 km

Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), the capital of Mpumalanga and home of the provincial government, is a modern, vibrant subtropical city of nearly

Graskop

Graskop (translation: "grass head") was so named because of the abundance of grassveld and few trees. Like so many of the little towns in this

Griquatown

If you are driving from Kimberley to Upington, make a stop in Griquatown. The town, locally known as Griekwastad, was the center of a 19th-century

Bulungula

Bulungula is a tiny community near the mouth of the Bulungula River, about a 25-km (16-mile) walk from Coffee Bay's Hole-in-the-Wall. There

Elands Bay

Mention eBay auctions here, and most people will stare at you blankly. But mention the E'bay left-hand break, and you'll get nods of approval

The Western Cape

Anchored by Cape Town in the southwest, the Western Cape is an alluring province, a sweep of endless mountain ranges, empty beaches, and European

The Garden Route and the Little Karoo

This region is a study in contrasts. The forested mountain ranges of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma that shadow the coastline trap moist ocean

The Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is South Africa's most diverse province and has some of its best vacation destinations, yet it is perhaps the most glossed

Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park

In many ways Mpumalanga ("where the sun rises") is South Africa's wildest and most exciting province. Its local history is action packed: local

Durban and KwaZulu-Natal

Durban isn't slick or sophisticated, but 320 days of sunshine a year entices visitors and locals alike to the vast stretches of beautiful beach

The Northern Cape

South Africa's largest province, the Northern Cape, is also its least populated. Covering almost a third of the country, its deserts and semi

The Elephant Coast

The Elephant Coast is bordered in the northwest by the Ubombo Mountains, in the east by the Indian Ocean, and in the south by the Umfolozi River

Cape Peninsula

The peninsula is a treat for any Cape Town visitor, and a round-trip drive that takes in both the False Bay coastline and the Atlantic Ocean

Zululand and the Battlefields

Zululand stretches north from the Tugela River all the way to the border of Mozambique. It's a region of rolling grasslands, gorgeous beaches

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands

Set amid the rolling green foothills of the Drakensberg, the Midlands encompass waterfalls, lakes, reservoirs, forests, fields, Zulu villages

Noordhoek

This popular beach community has stunning white sands that stretch all the way to Kommetjie along the aptly named Long Beach. The small bordering

The Crags

Although technically part of Plett, the Crags is very different. It's rural and forested and is home to a primate refuge as well as a free-flight

Dolphin Coast

About an hour north of Durban, the Dolphin Coast (North Coast) lies along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with lifeguards and shark-netted

The Drakensberg

Afrikaners call them the Drakensberg: the Dragon Mountains. To Zulus they are uKhahlamba (pronounced Ooka-hlamba)—"Barrier of Spears." Both

South Coast

Vacation towns like Scottburgh, Margate, Ramsgate, Trafalgar, and Palm Beach dot KwaZulu-Natal's southern coast, which stretches for more than

Valley of a Thousand Hills

In the early part of the 19th century, before cars were introduced, wagons traveled from the port of Durban up along the ridge of this region

Cape of Good Hope

Once a nature reserve on its own, this section of Table Mountain National Park covers more than 19,000 acres. Much of the park consists of rolling

Kruger National Park

Visiting Kruger is likely to be one of the greatest experiences of your life, truly providing ultimate "Wow!" moments. You'll be amazed at the

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

This is the most famous and exclusive of South Africa's private reserves. Collectively owned and managed, the 153,000-acre reserve near Kruger

Addo Elephant National Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

If you're looking for true wilderness, remoteness, and stark, almost surreal landscapes and you're not averse to forgoing luxury and getting

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Also known as the Motlatse Canyon Nature Reserve, this breathtakingly beautiful 71,660 acres of red sandstone mountains, gorges, and grassland

Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi, early pastoralists who lived in this area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, called these falls Aukoerabis (Place

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The 150,000-acre Pilanesberg Game Reserve is often called the Pilanesberg National Park. It isn’t actually a South African national park these

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Where Phinda excels is in the superb quality of its rangers, who can provide fascinating commentary on everything from local birds to frogs

Djuma Private Game Reserve

This 17,297-acre reserve sits right up against Kruger in the northeast corner of the world-famous Sabi Sand Reserve. Expect classic bushveld

Londolozi Game Reserve

Since its inception in 1974 (it was a family farm and retreat before that), Londolozi has become synonymous with South Africa's finest game

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Renowned for its conservation successes—most notably with white rhinos—this reserve is a wonderful place to view the Big Five and many other

Table Mountain National Park

Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and rich biodiversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area. Large

Manyeleti Game Reserve

North of Sabi Sand, Manyeleti Private Game Reserve ("the place of the stars" in Shangaan) covers 59,280 acres that border Kruger, Sabi Sand

Madikwe Game Reserve

Just as leopards and Sabi Sand Game Reserve are synonymous, think of Madikwe Game Reserve and wild dogs in the same way. This is probably your

Timbavati Game Reserve

The 185,000-acre Timbavati, the northernmost of the private reserves, is collectively owned and managed by the Timbavati Association, a nonprofit

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Founded in 1978 at the southern end of Sabi Sand, the multi-award-winning Sabi Sabi Game Reserve was one of the first reserves to offer photo

MalaMala Game Reserve

This legendary game reserve (designated as such in 1929) is tops in its field. The first and only community-owned game reserve in Sabi Sand

uMkhuze KZN Park

Wildlife—and amazing birdlife—abounds in this 400-square-km (154-square-mile) reserve in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains. Lying between the

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Roughly the size of Singapore, this enormous private wildlife reserve supports a free-roaming population of wild animals that were indigenous

Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve

Expect great swaths of pale, creamy sand stretching to far-off rocky headlands, a shimmering, undulating horizon where whales blow. Watch out

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

Situated along the Sabie River, this reserve has one of the best locations in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. All of the lodges overlook the river

Singita

Although Singita (Shangaan for "the miracle") offers much the same thrilling Sabi Sand bush and game experiences as other lodges, superb service

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, at 1,000 square km (386 square miles) the largest privately

Samara Private Game Reserve

Thanda Private Game Reserve

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s newer game reserves, Thanda offers a more intimate nature experience than some. Game may sometimes be elusive, but the

Ithala Game Reserve

The topography of this reserve, from mountaintop to deep river valleys, incorporates varied terrain and plantlife, and makes for superior game

Kapama Private Game Reserve

The 32,123-acre Kapama Private Game Reserve, the area's largest single-owned private reserve, here, and it boasts some high-end luxury lodges

Exeter Private Game Reserve

Established in 1937, Exeter, at 160,600 acres, was an original part of Sabi Sands when it was incorporated in the 1960s. Its lodges are now

Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve

Amazulu Private Game Reserve and AmaKhosi Lodge

Amazulu Private Game Reserve incorporates mountains, wetlands, and savanna and in addition to the Big Five, many other mammals and hundreds

Thornybush Nature Reserve

Situated within 34,594 acres of pristine wilderness, adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park in Limpopo, Thornybush Nature Reserve is set

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve