Attractions

South Africa

Johannesburg
South Africa's largest and most populated city, Johannesburg also has the honor of being the host city for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It is a city with a vibrant social and arts scene, and also plays a central role in the country's economy.

Soweto One of the two main townships outside of central Johannesburg, Soweto is definitely worth a visit.

Mandela Family Museum Nelson Mandela's first house, this museum will introduce you to the family that helped shape Mandela into the great statesman he is.

The Apartheid Museum A very moving and informative trip through South Africa's turbulent past and present. Be sure you can devote a few hours to delve into the videos, photographs and artifacts on display. Located alongside Gold Reef City, it is a must see.

Origins Centre - The South African Museum of Rock Art Calling itself a Museum in Africa for the people of the world, the Origins Centre has an excellent multimedia display of the rock art and the origins of humankind.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens One of the last green areas remaining within Johannesburg, these gardens are home to many bird species, including the endangered Black Eagle. It is also a great spot for a picnic.

Constitution Hill This is the site of the notorious Old Fort prison complex.

Kruger National Park The largest game reserve in South Africa, Kruger is the best spot to see the Big 5: African elephants, lions, Black rhinos, African buffalo and leopards.

St. Lucia
The village of St. Lucia forms the southernmost entrance to the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, and is known for its relaxed atmosphere and its integration with the local wildlife.

Isimangaliso Wetlands Park Formerly known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, this natural wonderland and UNESCO World Heritage Site offers such wonderful adventures as Zulu cultural tours, whale watching, water sports, game drives, horseback riding, ranger-guided hiking, deep-sea fishing, pristine beaches and, of course, estuary boat cruises to see South Africa's hippos and crocs.

Durban
Situated in the province of KwaZulu Natal, Durban is one of South Africa's top vacation spots thanks to its location along the warm waters of Natal Bay. Enjoy the Golden Beaches, a stretch of shark-free sand monitored by lifeguards and protected by a series of nets, and the Promenade that runs alongside. You should also make time to visit the Victoria Indian Street Market.

Port Elizabeth
Stretching for 16 kilometers along Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth, or PE for short, is often referred to as "The Friendly City." Located at the end of the picturesque Garden Route along the Cape coast, the city is one of South Africa's major travel destinations, thanks to its many fine beaches. Enjoy walking the new Boardwalk waterfront complex, the gardens at St. George's Park and the many water sports offered along the bay.

Addo Elephant National Park Just 72 kilometers outside PE, the Addo Elephant National Park is home to 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, over 48 black rhinos as well as diverse antelope species.

Tsitsikamma National Park A coastal reserve on the Garden Route, this 'place of much water' is renowned for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastlines and the Otter Trail, a hiking trail named after the native Cape Clawless Otter.

Knysna
Located along Knysna Lagoon, a warm-water estuary encircled by forest-covered hills, Knysna has long attracted international travelers in search of a beautiful natural playground. Its most recognizable symbol are the two towering sandstone cliffs, known as the Heads, that stand guard at the spot where Knysna Lagoon meets the Indian Ocean. If you're looking to get a magnificent view of the city, hop aboard a ferry to the western Head located inside the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A largely unspoiled natural gem, it is home to the Blue Duiker, one of Africa's smallest antelopes. If you've been hoping to spot an elusive Knysna elephant, visit the Knysna Elephant Park.

Outdshoorn This is the ostrich farming capital of the world.

Cape Town
South Africa's second most populous city, Cape Town also attracts the most visitors, thanks to its gorgeous location between mountains and ocean.

Table Mountain A flat-topped mountain that overlooks the city of Cape Town, Table Mountain is accessible either by cable car or on foot, and the view from the top makes the hike well worth the effort.

Cape Point Located on the southeastern corner of Cape Peninsula, just to the left of the Cape of Good Hope (when you're facing the South Pole), Cape Point is a dramatic cliff that offers an incredible view of where the cold and warm currents of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront This new waterfront complex was built on top of part of the docks in the Port of Cape Town and is home to the city's most popular shops and the Two Oceans Aquarium. What the V&A, as it is locally known, is most popular for is the view it offers of the ships loading and unloading their cargo.

Robben Island An island in Table Bay, just seven kilometers off the coast of the mainland, Robben Island is most famous for its prison. It was here that former South African President and Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela, along with many other notable political prisoners, spent decades imprisoned during the era of apartheid.

Stellanbosch Along with Paarl and Franschhoek, Stellanbosch is at the center of Cape Town's famed Cape Winelands wine route.

Swaziland

One of Africa's oldest monarchies, Swaziland is a small nation bordered on all sides by South Africa and Mozambique. It is a country known for its civility, peacefulness and its wide varieties of game reserves. Its capital city, Mbabane, is known for its traditional handmade Swazi candles.