SOUTH AFRICA

INDIA
& SOUTH ASIA

Travel
DEEPER
FAMILY ADVENTURES / LUXURY EXTRAVAGANZA /
SOCIAL EXPLORERS / ROMANTIC GETAWAYS
Whether youre taking morning walks alongside
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xplore more at
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 EDITORS NOTE
SOUTH AFRICA is home to some of the worlds oldest surviving ethnic groups, a
stellar wine region with exceptional dining; its where you can see stars the way
our ancestors did three million years ago, where you can swim among Africas only
native penguins, where you can not only dive with great white sharks but also see
them hunting for seals. Few other destinations are worthy of this many superlatives.
Amidst such high acclaim, however, youll discover a country in transition. Cities
are expanding and developing at a rapid pace, and political conditions and safety
of travellers is more stable than ever before, making it an ideal time to visit
the country. The buzzing cities, awe-inspiring wildlife corridors, and warm and
welcoming people will stay with you long after youve left South Africa.

Ruchira Bose
Editor, Travel + Leisure India-South Asia

CONTENTS
G R E AT S T O C K /A L A M Y

4 CROSSROADS OF LUXURY
8 A WHOLE IN ONE
10 THE SOUTHERN WAY OF LOVE
14 ALL IN GOOD TIME
17 WAIT, THERES MORE!
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY ADIL JAIN
EXPERIENTIAL
HOLIDAYS

CROSSROADS OF LUXURY
Beneath the African skies, these luxury experiences bring you closest
to nature and change you a little each time.

T
he true make of a luxury
holiday itinerary is often
dened by how gratied
you feel on your way back.
When the best wines have
complemented the best steaks, your
adrenaline levels have soared to
surprising new levels, and youve
learnt a thing or two about world
history, you know your South African
holiday is complete.
WINE IN BLISS
Untangle the subtle threads of
Pinotage as you swirl the wine
between your cheeks; let the
fragrance of Chenin Blanc ll
you with a bit of the Cape coast;
South Africa is blessed with some
of the nest wine regions in the
world and here, a customary
wine tour is in order. The wine
regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl,
and Swartland are replete with
legendary wine estates that offer
tours and tastings in the classic
ambiance of old Dutch mansions or
quaint cottages, albeit with a side
of history. The Vergenoegd Wine
Estate in Stellenbosch, is one of
the oldest farms in South Africa
and is famous for its eet of runner
ducks who are set free on the farm
twice a day to take care of pests

S U M AYA H I S H A M / G E T T Y I M A G E S

Over 1000 runner ducks march their way to the

vineyard at Vergenoegd Wine Estate. Opposite:
The Rovos trains have a pre-1940s style dining car;
La Motte prepares to recieve dinner guests.
 and fertilise the land. Here, you
can book a blending experience
and follow it up with an artisanal
picnic. La Motte in the Franschhoek
Valley is helmed by owner Hanneli
Rupert-Koegelenberg, who is a
TOP: BL AINE HARRINGTON III/GET T YIMAGES; COURTESY OF L A MOT TE

music lover and presents monthly

music concerts in the beautiful La
Motte cellar. Wine connoisseurs can
take the Hermanus Wine Route
on R320 that meanders through
the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde
area with stops at 15 wineries that
produce world-class wines.

THE GRAND STOPS

South Africas repertoire for the
nest experiences go beyond wine
regions. For the most discerning
of luxury travellers, Luxury Yacht
Charters offers a ve-hour cruise
between Cape Town and Hout Bay
(a shing village) on Princess
Emma, an elegant yacht with four

TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 5

EXPERIENTIAL
HOLIDAYS
en suite cabins, al fresco dining
for eight, a swimming platform,
sunbeds, a bar and lounge. You
could also choose a luxury journey
with Blue Train and nd a classic
representation of the forties
elegance, with goose down duvets
in well-appointed suites, butler
services, and ne dining (expect
Shefeld cutlery and crystal
glassware), between Pretoria and
Cape Town, Durban, or Hoedspruit.
Walk into One&Only Cape Town
for High Tea, and be welcomed with
a wide range of teas and coffees,
along with a lazy Suzy crafted with
sweet and savoury delights youd
gladly miss lunch for.
6 TRAVEL + LEISURE 201
Clockwise:
Skydivers land
at Robertson
airfield in South
Africa; tuna
nicoise at Test
Kitchen; a
group of
travellers enjoy
the sunny deck
on Princess
Emma.
South Africa is a gourmands
delight, with some of the most hard-
to-book restaurants in the world like
The Test Kitchen and The Tasting
Room at top spots. Take on a golf
safari with the luxurious Rovos
Rail that departs from Pretoria
on a nine-day itinerary, taking you
through Sun City, Champagne
Sports Resort, Durban Country
Club, Royal Swazi, and Leopard
Creek. Finally, sleep in the arms
of nature in a luxury king size bed
in the middle of a game reserve
at Tswalu Kalahari private game
reserve, surrounded by nocturnal
sounds under the sparkly
Kalahari skies.
CULTURAL PLAYS
C L O C K W I S E : S U R E T H A R O U S /A L A M Y; C O U R T E S Y O F T E S T K I T C H E N ;
It is only t that you take a walking
tour of a multicultural nation like
South Africa for complete cultural
immersion. Begin with a township
tour with an overnight stay at Soweto,
in Johannesburg. Here, you can
experience the urban vibe that hides
layers of black freedom struggle
underneathvisit the heritage sites,
D O E L A N YA N N / G E T T Y I M A G E S
the museums, and churches. Move on
to a tour of Bo-Kaap, a former Malay
settlement with cobbled streets and
colourful houses. Other city tours
offered in Cape Town include the
District Six Walk in an inner-city
suburb, the Historic City Walk that
include spots like Greenmarket

Square and City Hall, and the V&A
Waterfront Walk for a tour of the
Clock Tower and Nobel Square,
among other places. Then, trace
your way to the indigenous tribes by
visiting one of the cultural villages.
In the Matsamo Cultural Village,
stay in a traditional custom-built
hive, watch entertaining dance
performances and captivating folk
songs, and gorge on Swazi food.
In Gaabo Motho Cultural Village,
you will be caught in the local Zulu
C O U R T E S Y O F B L A I N E H A R R I N G T O N I I I /A L A M Y;
Wellness Retreat games, the Gum Boot dance, learn
about the Tswana spirit and visit the
UNDERNEATH THE THICK, traditional healer.
DARK CONOPY OF
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL QUEST FOR UNUSUAL
IAN TROWER /GET T YIMAGES
In South Africa, experiences that
PARK, THE TROGAN HOUSE come in little packages often bring the
AND FOREST SPA OFERS best memories. A horseback safari
SOME ONE OF THE MOST takes you through a diverse terrain:
A brisk gallop on the beach, a slow
UNIQUE THERAPIES. amble through a vineyard, a quick run
on the grasslands, an upward climb
Brightly coloured houses line
the Bo-Kaap Quarter; Below:
A guest looking over the
forest cover at Tsitsikamma
National Park.
FAST FACT
BO-KAAP
During your tour of this
Malay township, stop at
some of the Malay restaurants
like Bo-Kaap Kombuis that
serves traditionally cooked
cuisine in the heart
of the city.
on a mountain. Consider a moonlit
ride with Cape Nature Conservation
in the Western Cape, Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife in KwaZulu Natal, or
African Horse Company that offers
two- to 10-day trails. Take to the
skies with tandem skydiving and hang
above the jaw dropping landscape
in Durban with Skydive Durban,
one of the many skydive centres in
South Africa; go whale-watching in
Hermanus, especially near Walker
Bay, the breeding ground for the
Southern Right Whale in winters
(June to November). For underwater
adventures, take a snorkelling trip that
departs from St Lucia and takes you
to Cape Vidal. Here, on the shallow
oor of the ocean watch rays, re sh,
and octopus in their natural habitat.
TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 7
 SOCIAL
EXPLORERS

Bungee jumping
off the Bloukrans
Bridge above River
Bloukrans. Below:
The Chapmans
Peak Drive.

T O P : A F R I P I C S . C O M /A L A M Y; T R AV E L S T O C K4 4 /A L A M Y
A WHOLE IN ONE
Say goodbye to all your inhibitions and experience a new culture,
try a new sport, or play a few rounds on the tablethe country
offers a repertoire of activities that can excite intrepid travellers.

T
he Big 5 are the biggest
attraction in South Africa,
but if you also want to get
a taste of adventure and
culture, the country will
not disappoint. From night safaris of
the shy-ve and drives on the
stunning Garden Route to jazz clubs
and casinos, a roster of activities can
keep you occupied.

ADVENTURE
South Africa beckons the young
and the restless who need a shot
of adrenaline. Bungee jumping
off the Bloukrans Bridge above
River Bloukrans will give you some
serious bragging rights. This is the
worlds highest bridge bungee where
celebrities like Prince Harry, Kelly
Slater, and Hansie Cronje have
had a go. KwaZulu-Natal where youre dropped the experienced as well as novices.
A nighttime shy ve safari will below the water surface in a secured If youre feeling rather adventurous,
bring you closer to easily spooked cage and white sharks come visit. abseil down the mountain.
species like the meerkat, aardvark, A great incentive to hikers
porcupine, aardwolf, and bat-eared ascending the Table Mountain is its NIGHTLIFE
fox which are difcult to spot during view. South Africas famous landmark Cape Town has a buzzing nightlife
daytime. A face-to-face shark is a part of the Table Top National scene and youll discover the best
encounter is possible at Shark Alley in Park and has dened hiking paths for of it along the Long Street. Teeming

8 TRAVEL + LEISURE 201


with lively nightclubs, hipster bars,
restaurants, and cafes, this is your
C L O C K W I S E : A R I A D N E VA N Z A N D B E R G E N /A L A M Y; E R I C N AT H A N /A L A M Y; J O H N S N E L L I N G / G E T T Y I M A G E S
go-to place when youre looking
for a great time. Its equivalent in
Johannesburg is the suburb of
Melville, where locals and tourists
party through the night.
The lavish casinos in South Africa
are true entertainment destinations.
Take for example the Boardwalk
Casino & Entertainment World
in Port Elizabeth, which features a
Victorian-inspired hotel with beach-
facing rooms and many restaurants
and bars. The highlight is its casino
with slot machines, tables, and a
private area for highrollers. The
other popular casino is at Sun City,
in North West province, which
offers world-class entertainment
for people of all ages.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
When in South Africa, groove to
the South African jazz. The country
loves its music and you will nd
many jazz bars with a calendar of
live performances. Your quest to nd
good jazz will take you to The Crypt
Clockwise: A performance at the
Hermanus Whale Festival; graffiti at
Long Street in Cape Town; Hout Bay.
Jazz Restaurant in Cape Town which
sits below the famed St Georges
Cathedral and The Bassline in
Johannesburg, which is a 1,000-seat
venue. Plan your trip around a jazz
festival and youll feel the full swing
of it. The Joy of Jazz festival in
Johannesburg and the Cape Town
International Jazz Festival are two
major gatherings for jazz lovers in
the country. Trck other popular
event like the Hermanus Whale
Festival that brings thousands of
visitors to Hermanus each year;
the National Arts Festival in
Grahamstown that celebrates dance,
drama, theatre, music, and visual
arts; and the Pick n Pay Knysna
Oyster Festival that packs a punch
with oyster shucking, gourmet
dinners, and farm tours.
The country is a hotspot for art
lovers. Apart from galleries and
museums, street art has piqued
the interest of many travellers.
Grafti artists like Mak1One, Solo
One, DALEast, and Falko have done
beautiful work that celebrate the
country and its people.
CAPE PENINSULA DRIVE
Drive from Cape Town to Hout Bay,
the coastal town between Cape
Town and Cape Point home to
antique shops and craft markets.
From Hout Bay, you will come to
the Chapmans Peak Drive, the
nine-kilometre route, which is
possibly the most scenic drive in
South Africa, meandering along
the Atlantic Ocean with 114 curves.
Pit stops include Cape Point
Lighthouse and the Table
Mountain National Park. The
idyllic views from the False Bay
Coastal Road will make for
Instagram-worthy pictures.
En-route, the Boulders Beach
gives you a chance to observe
penguins and have a quick bite in
Simons Town. End your trip with a
relaxing visit to the Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden on the
slopes of the Table Mountain.
TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 9
ROMANTIC
GETAWAYS
THE SOUTHERN
WAY OF LOVE
Fancy twosome dinners under the stars,
long drives on scenic routes, wine-tasting
in picturesque vineyards? They are all
here in South Africa.
S
outh Africa has opened its
wings for couples who like
to tread virgin romantic
territories. We take one
province at a time,
characterised by what they offer,
and shuttle between whats
anticipated and unexpected. Heres
a short guide for the moon chasers
and night gliders.
MPUMALANGA
The place where the sun rises when
translated in English, Mpumalanga
is the easternmost province of
10 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1
South Africa with an unbelievably
diverse natural landscape breeding
the most curious animals, insects,
and birds. Nature lovers can take
their romance to the Blyde River
Canyon, the largest green canyon
in the world stretching over 26 kms
in length and 800 metres deep.
The Panorama Route offers terric
viewpoints of the gorgeous valley,
plunging waterfalls (like the Berlin
Falls, Lisbon Falls, and Mac Mac
Falls), and peeking mountaintops
that pay tribute to the Gold Rush
years. You can drive all the way up
During sunset, enjoy scenic views
of the ocean at Cape Point.
to Gods Window one of the most
dramatic vantage points in the
country that offers a sweeping view
of Lowvelds indigenous forests,
deep ravines, and rolling hills.
The valley of Mpumalanga are home
MERTEN SNIJDERS/GET T YIMAGES
to South Africas most treasured
wildlife parks: The Kruger National
Park and Sabi Sabi Private Game
Reserve, for example, that offer
luxurious game lodges with early
morning game drives, romantic
turndowns, private dinners, couples
spas and bath rituals, and interaction
with elephants on the cards.

Clockwise: Take a hot air balloon ride over the
C L O C K W I S E : M A R K VA N A A R D T/ G E T T Y I M A G E S ; H E I N R I C H VA N D E N B E R G / G E T T Y I M A G E S ; R O B C R A N D A L L /A L A M Y
vineyards in Stellenbosch; In Kapama Private
Reserve, Limpopo, a private dinner for two can
be arranged outdoors, on request.; spot a
giraffe at Kruger National Park.
WESTERN CAPE
An indulgent getaway with wine
tours and cheese-tasting, or an
adrenaline pumping weekend with
aerial and water sports; romantic
holidays in the Western Cape brings
you to the regions of Cape Town and
the West Coast, the Overberg, right
through the Garden Route and into
the heart of the winelands. Choose
one of the removed vineyards
of Stellenbosch and Paarl, the
centuries-old Franschhoek wine
region peppered with Dutch
mansions, or Groot Constantia,
the oldest wine region in the
country. The Garden Route is a
travellers paradise with numerous
lagoons and lakes dotting the
panorama, private beaches like
Noetzie, and the famous Stanley
Island private which has access
to the Keurbooms Lagoon in the
Plettenberg Bay.
LIMPOPO
Besides being home to South
Africas best birding route in Pafuri
and the famous South African
Amarula Lapa Cream Liquor,
Limpopo offers romantic culinary
journeys through world cuisine
French, Italian, Indian, modern
steakhouses, and African
delicacies. The Hat and Creek is
a great place for sumptuous grills,
Cala la Pasta for Italian, and La
Fleur for French cafe delights in
Vaalwater. However, the luxury
bush lodges and safari camps are
its main draw, offering wildlife
adventure trips to untrodden
territories. Mabula Game Reserve,
Mopani Bush Lodge, and the
Pafuri River Camp are some of the
most famous places to visit here.
KWAZULU NATAL
The Groot Constantia Whoosh your partner off to the
WINELANDS (1679) HAS beautiful Valley of a 1000 Hills or a
gorgeous beach property in Durban,
CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED TOP Umhlanga, Ballito or Margateat
QUALITY WINES. ITS MANOR KwaZulu Natal or place of the Zulus,
HOUSE IS A LEADING TOURIST neither the countryside nor the city is
out of reach. For magnicent ocean
ATTRACTION. views complemented by South
African hospitality, check out resorts
TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 11
ROMANTIC
GETAWAYS
A young couple enjoys a
bottle of Champagne in the
Franschhoek Valley.

T O P : J O H N WA R B U R T O N - L E E P H O T O G R A P H Y/A L A M Y; A F R I C A M E D I A O N L I N E /A L A M Y
like the Palm Dune Beach Lodge A traveller parks his car to
and Hotel Izulu. If the country charm enjoy the sunset on Orange River.
appeals more, Pietermaritzburg,
Howick, and Winterton offer
numerous owner-run luxury boutique
hotels perfect for intimate weddings.
Further in, the lush landscaped lawns
of Midlands Meander that were earlier
farms, have been refurnished by their
owners to make huge mansions with
gardens. As such, Currys Post, and
Caversham Mill Manor, and other
pretty properties dotting the Mooi
River lend fabulous ambiance to
romantic holidays.

EASTERN CAPE,
GAUTENG, NORTH WEST
A quiet hideaway in a century-old
country estate, a boutique property
in the mountains, or a ve-star
luxury hotel in the middle of the
city; the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and
North West provinces offer couples
everything between sophisticated city
stays to relaxed, small town spots
for quiet weekends. Feel the cool
winds of Port Elizabeth blow over
ocean-facing properties like Paxton
Hotel, The Beach Hotel, and Kings
Quick Tip Tide Boutique Hotel in Eastern Cape.
You can also book the stylish Oxbow
STOP AT A BEAUTIFUL SPOT Country Estate in Gauteng and enjoy
ON THE BANKS OF THE ORANGE y shing within the estate, and
RIVER IN RICHTERSVELD TO discover the quirky neighbourhood
that surrounds the property. In
ENJOY THE SUNSET HOURS. the unpretentious mountains of
Magaliesberg in North West province,

12 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1
 Clockwise: A long mud path leads to a quaint, lovingly built Cape
Dutch Manor House and Vineyard; A Four wheel drivw in Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park; Mapungubwe National Park viewpoint
overlooking Limpopo and Shashi River.

FREE STATE
C L O C K W I S E : E S P I E G L E / G E T T Y I M A G E S ; F 1 O N L I N E D I G I TA L E B I L D A G E N T U R G M B H /A L A M Y; R O B E R T H A R D I N G /A L A M Y

Expect historic freedom sites,

a terrific topography, and
between them, classic
properties that exude
sophisticated South African
luxury. Whether youre
traversing the capital city of
Bloemfontein, or small towns
like Rosendal, Clarens, and
Bethleham, options are aplenty.
Stay at Gariep Hotel which
offers views of Gariep Dam
(100kms long and 24 kms wide).
Visit the Golden Gate Highlands
Park to see Vredefort Dome, the
oldest and largest crater on
earth, also home to the worlds
only pink granite.

enjoy a quick getaway in a charming
country property called Valley Lodge
& Spa or settle for some ve-star
hospitality in Sun City.
NORTHERN CAPE
From sprawling cotton, date, and
grape farms, to lions roaming freely
in the Kalahari Desert, the best of
South Africa is packed in the remote
province of Northern Cape. Explore
the luxury game reserve of !Xaus
Lodge in the desert area of the
Kgalagadi Transfontier Park, Tswalu
Kalahari Reserve in the grasslands,
or Richtersveld National Park in
the vast plains of the Tankwa Karoo.
Tread further into the Kalahari
Desert and youll nd boutique
gems like the Sun River Kalahari
Lodge and the River Ridge Resort
that offer breathtaking views of
the Orange River transecting the
Northern Cape. Apart from the
privacy of the lodges, theres the
Diamond Coast, winding along the
coast of the Northern Cape between
Port Nolloth and the mouth of the
Orange River. Take a walk through
the history that pillars this coastline,
among which are some restricted
diamond mining areas and a
dramatic shipwreck site.

TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 13

ADVENTURE
FAMILY TIME
ALL IN GOOD TIME
Rewarding wildlife safaris, culture trails, adventure trips and island holidays;
South Africa has a melange of activities that a family can take together.
F
amilies yearning for some
quality time together can
take a holiday to South
Africa. The breathtaking
scenery, diverse ethnicity,
and exciting adventure itineraries
make the southern African nation a
fantastic destination to explore for
people of all ages. Whether you are
treading into wildlife and
conservation, nature and natural
resources, or tucking in some quick
facts about anthropology as you
travel between cities, this is where
your whole family, whether young
or old, can feel entertained
effortlessly.
14 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1 7
THE WILD CHASE
Despite the commercialisation of
wildlife safaris across the world,
South Africa has held its own with
intimate experiences it offers to
earnest travellers. At game reserves
such as the Pilanesberg National
Park, the Shamwari Game Reserve,
the Kruger National Park, and the
Madikwe Game Reserve, among
others, you can get up close with the
Big 5 (African lion, African elephant,
African leopard, Cape Buffalo, and
the two-horned rhinos). Whoosh past
a sunbathing hippo or a skittish herd
of zebras in a four-wheel drive, and
let your guide pour out a wealth of
interesting facts about the
surrounding eco-system. Or take a
bush walk to spot exotic insects,
butteries, birds, and sh. The
fantastic junior ranger programmes
allow kids to be directly involved in
the holiday and learn rst-hand,
how nature maintains its balance.
For the best aerial views of the
country, take a canopy tour of the
lush Drakensberg mountains, the
indigenous Karkloof forest, or the
Elgin valley to witness the wealth of
natural ora and fauna.
COSMOPOLITAN EDGE
Just a few kilometres away from the
Zebras feed as impala run by and tourists
watch on at the Kruger National Park.

C L O C K W I S E : N I C H O L A S P I T T/A L A M Y; C O U R T E S Y O F K A R K L O O F C A N O P Y T O U R ; R O S A I R E N E B E TA N C O U R T 2 /A L A M Y; O P P O S I T E : S T E V E C A S I M I R O / G E T T Y I M A G E S
forest cover, the multicultural
cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town,
Johannesburg, and Durban bring you
to all the shopping hotspots, theme
parks, luxury resorts, ne dining
establishments that the country has
to offer. Joburg comes to life at the
Gold Reef City, a theme park fancied
after a gold mining town, with
thrilling rides, a science exploratory,
helicopter rides, a 4D theatre, and
more. At Montecasino, the Italian-
style entertainment hub, adults may
try their luck at the award-winning
casino, while kids enjoy a day out
birding at Bird Gardens. Together
with the family, learn about the
aquatic diversity in the Indian and
Atlantic Oceans at Cape Towns Two
Oceans Aquarium or head to
uShaka Marine World that has the
fth largest aquarium in the world
and hosts world-class events.
WATCH AND LEARN
South Africa is the melting pot for
natural resources, culture, and
historical milestones. The best way
One of the most
ICONIC STADIUMS IN THE
WORLD, THE NEWLANDS
CRICKET GROUND OFFERS
TOURS OF THE PRESIDENTS
SUITE, THE ELEGANT SOUTH
CLUB, THE DRESSING ROOMS,
AND SNAKE PITS.
Clockwise: Summers are spent on Fourth
Beach at Clifton; a traveller hangs above the
canopy line in the Karkloof Forest Reserve;
a visitor observes the homonim exhibit at
the Cradle of Humankind.
to navigate its rich variants is to
take a tour of the famous sites, of
which, the Cradle of Humankind
(maropeng.co.za) is a unique
kind. This UNESCO World
Heritage Site preserves the
2.3-million-year-old fossil remains
of the Australopithecus Africanus
(an early ape species) and the
Homo Naledi (early man species)
in the Sterkfontein caves, about
50 kilometres northwest of
Johannesburg. Also, the Lesedi
village in the rocky hills within the
T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1 7 15
ADVENTURE
FAMILY TIME
At Boulders Beach
IN CAPE TOWN, THE LITTLE
ONES WILL LOVE CLIMBING
THE ROCKS TO GET A CLEAR
VIEW OF THE AFRICAN
PENGUINS IN SUMMER. BESIDES,
THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR A
DAY LONG CAMPING TRIP.
site has accommodation options in
traditional Zulu style where you can
experience the lifestyle of ve African
tribes that reside thereZulu, Xhosa,
Pedi, Basotho, and Ndebele. Move on
to the small town of Oudtshoorn in
Klein Karoo, which is called the
ostrich capital of the world. Here, you
can watch the worlds largest birds
thrive in their natural habitat. The
region also hides the remarkable
Cango Caves, an ecological hotspot
where three distinct plant biomes
(succulent karoo, cape thicket, and
fynbos) ourish.
From the arms of nature, fall
into to the laps of history. Take a
16 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1 7
tour of Robben Island, where
political prisoners like Nelson
Mandela were imprisoned. This is a
good place to ne tune your
knowledge of Apartheid.
THE KIND WE ARE
From museums to townships and
scenic drives, South Africa can have
you chasing your interests without a
breather. In Johannesburg, you can
nd yourself in a military or a beer
museum depending on how
exploratory youre feeling, but do
take a full day tour of the historical
Clockwise: Take
a trip to the Gold
Reef City on a
bright summer
South African
morning; spot
African penguins
on Boulders
Beach.
neighbourhood of Soweto which has
crucial landmarks where Mandela
fought against social injustice. A T O P : A S H I S H C H AW L A ; F R A N S L E M M E N S /A L A M Y
short drive away is the Satyagraha
House, where Mahatma Gandhi
lived intermittently between
1893 and 1914.
If you have a family of beach
lovers, hire a car and drive to one of
the many beaches with a picnic
basket in tow: The Camps Bay and
Clifton beaches near Cape Town,
Plettenberg Bay on the Garden
Route, and Jefferys Bay in Eastern
Cape are great options.
 WOW
EXPERIENCES

WAIT,
THERES
MORE!
So youve ticked off safaris,
diving, and bungee
jumping from your South
Africa bucket list? We have
five experiences that will
bring you to the country
again, and often.

S
easoned travellers whove
fallen in love with South
Africa and wish to visit again,
this is the next stepdig
deeper into the country and nd out
why global travellers are coming back
for seconds.

ALTERNATIVE SAFARIS
Did you know that theres more to
safaris than the Big 5? In South
Africas national parks, look for the
Little Five that includes buffalo
weaver, leopard tortoise, the ant
lion, rhinoceros beetle, and elephant
shrew; the Ugly 5 group of hyena,
marabou stork, vulture, warthog,
TOP: J. COUNTESS/GET T YIMAGES; DOUGL AS HOLDER /GET T YIMAGES

and wildebeest; or the Magnicent

7 that has lion, leopard, rhino,
elephant, buffalo, Southern Right
whales, and Great White sharks.
From above:
Nelson
ON GROUND AND UNDER Mandelas
South Africa is home to the largest statue affront
the Union
cave system in Africa, Cango Caves Buildings in
in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape. Take a Pretoria; on
two-hour caving tour deeper into the volunteering
underground passageways to see projects, one
learns to track
chambers and rock formations. Or, the wellbeing
if you want to up the adventure, go of rhinoceroses,
kloong at the Suicide Gorge in the this in
Hluhluwe-
Western Cape that involves hiking, Imfolozi Park.
jumping off cliffs into water streams,
and sliding in the waters. A freefall
of 68 metres from the gorge swing

TRAVEL + LEISURE 201 17

 :2:
EXPERIENCES
Clockwise: A signboard affront the
Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of
Humankind; a tourist takes the Big Swing
plunge in Graskop, Mpumalanga; a family
inspects the Cango Caves.
in Mpumalanga will take you from
zero to 160kmph in three seconds,
which is quite exhilarating as you
slide into the water.
SELF-DRIVING ROUTE
Route 62 is a road less travelled.
It takes you through Wellington,
Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson,
and the Klein Karoo, to terraced
vineyards, quaint small towns, and
art galleries and museums. The
scenery changes from lush green
valleys to mountain passes to farm
lands and there are many adventures
you can stop for: canoeing, hiking,
ostrich riding, and paragliding.
VOLUNTEERING
EXPERIENCES
Volunteering experiences are
becoming a trend among the
well-travelled. In South Africa,
from elephant rescues to shark
conservation, one gets an
18 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E 2 0 1
understanding of the enormous
efforts undertaken by the
South African government to
preserve natural habitats. SAVE
Volunteerings four-week Predi-Cat
Project guides you through African
cat husbandry, with insight into
the predators life in quasi-captive
environment. The African Elephant
Project takes you through the Garden
Route on a learning experience
of the perpetual threats faced by
the ecosystems, besides elephant
conservation. Lastly, the Endangered
Species Project is a hands-on
involvement in the protection of
endangered species like the African
rhino and the cheetah.
FOLLOWING THE
FOOTSTEPS
History enthusiasts with a voracious
appetite for a hands-on experience
What to Look For
IN THE CANGO CAVES, SEE
ANCIENT STALACTITES LINE
THE GREY-BLUE LIMESTONE
CEILING AS YOU MOVE FROM
ONE CHAMBER TO ANOTHER.
C L O C K W I S E : J E F F G R E E N B E R G / U I G / G E T T Y I M A G E S ; G R E AT S T O C K /A L A M Y; H E I N R I C H VA N D E N B E R G / G E T T Y I M A G E S
can follow the footsteps of Nelson
Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. The
Hector Pierterson Memorial and
Museum built near the spot where
12-year-old Pieterson was shot; the
Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein
which has served as the hallmark for
justice and democracy; the Union
Buildings and the Nelson Mandela
statue in Pretoria; Mandela House in
Soweto; Robben Island where
Mandela spent 18 years in prison; all
are stark reminders of his battle
against Apartheid. Mahatma Gandhis
legendary moments in South Africa
are commemorated by landmarks
such as the Pietermaritzburg
Station where he was racially
discriminated against and thrown off
a rst-class coach during the
Apartheid and Gandhi Monument
which was erected here in his honour;
Phoenix Settlement in Inanda where
Gandhi ran his printing press; the
Hamidia Mosque in Fordsburg where
he led 2,000 supporters against the
non-white inter-city passes.
From experiencing spectacular views from the balcony
to discovering the worlds second tallest cluster of
never ending waterfalls; hiking up one of the oldest Explore more at
mountain ranges or exploring the largest manmade 24hoursofwow.southafrica.net
forest, South Africa offers you a range of some of the
worlds most loved wonders. #WowSouthAfrica
Between morning yoga on golden carpets in
Namaqualand and afternoon discoveries of human
evolution at the Cradle of Humankind; the sight of
two mighty oceans meeting at the Cape Point during Explore more at
sunset or admiring spectacular evening views from 24hoursofwow.southafrica.net
Table Mountain top, South Africa boasts a host of
natural wonders that will take your breath away. #WowSouthAfrica