SOUTH AFRICA
Background Information

South Africa is a vast country, the size of France and Spain combined, and offers a diverse range of holiday destinations. To experience the best of South Africa, we highly recommend travelling to the South West and the North East of the country. The main attraction in the South West is Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route, and in the North East you find the Kruger National Park. These two areas sufficiently embody the diversity of culture and history of South Africa. These areas provide a combination of beautiful coast line, world renowned wine tasting, the forests of the Garden Route, and the game rich Kruger National Park. For first time, and even second time visitors to South Africa, these two areas simply should not be missed.

Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula
AIthough Cape Town is South Africa's most visited city, its natural charm and beauty remains unscathed. Table Mountain is the gem cf Cape Town and it is only from the top of the mountain that you wilI truly appreciate the magnificence of this city. Public gardens, botanical gardens, the docks, Cape Town's water front, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and some of Southern Africa's priciest real estate, all ensure that your visit will be memorable. 'The romantic ambiance will enchant you while the relaaxed atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city will entice you to explore all that the outdoors has to offer.

CAPE TOWN

Cape Winelands
In the Cape Wineland's, eating, drinking, and visual pleasure abound, added to this the wonderful weather. With over a dozen recognised wine routes and-over a hundred wine estates across the Cape, one cannot fail to enjoy this region of South Africa. You need not travel outside of Cape Town itself to sample the local wine, as the Constantia Valley at the foot of Table Mountain is a perfect starting point for any wine tour. Your choices are endless as Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and Somerset West are all less than an hour away from Cape Town by car. To confirm that you have the best possible experience of the wine routes, we have recommended a selection of small luxury hotels and lodges in Somerset West. These properties provide the perfect base from which to explore the many wine estates. If you are looking for the best of the Cape's cuisine, then you need look no further than the wine areas. Many of South Africa's choicest restaurants can be found in and around the wine estates.

Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is South Africa's prime safari destination. the Park is the size of Wales and if you are travelling here, we highly recommend the private concessions of the Sabi Sands Game reserve which forms part of the Kruger National Park's eco-system, to the South. There are a number of luxurious Safari lodges at which you will have the opportunity to see fantastic game includng the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant rhino and buffalo.

GIRAFFE

The Garden Route
The Garden Route is considered to be South Africa's answer to the Garden of Eden by many visitors. Formed by a 120 mile long strip of coastal plain, the Garden Route is surrounded with forests and divided by rivers that gently flow down to the coast. The Garden Route is a holiday unto itself as it provides the gateway to South Africa's diverse history and culture. Wiid Africa Safaris provides an air conditioned car for you to discover the many charms of the Garden Route in comfort. With the choice of museums, small local villages, larger commercial towns, endless hiking trails, beaches, natural wonders such as the Cango Caves, and ostrich farms, you are sure to find something to cater for your taste. Having a car gives you the freedom to explore the secluded coves along the coast line, or to partake in the life that coastal towns have to offer. We recommend spending time in and around George, or Knysna, as these areas are both central and host the most comfortable properties to be found along the coat.

When to Travel
South Africa is split by two distinct weather patterns, which means every season in South Africa is a good time to travel. The North, including the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve has a hot summer from November to March. These summer months bring with them the rain, which cools the bush and is the catalyst for fresh growth and newborn animals. Game viewing is best between May and October, The South, Cape Town and the Garden route, has rains between May and August, and the best of the weather between October and March. This is a period of warm, dry sunny days, cooled by the ocean sea breeze.