South Africa

Christened 'the Rainbow Nation' by Archbishop Desmond Tutu because of its vibrant racial and cultural diversity, South Africa offers something for everyone. Explore the vast Kruger National Park, where you are likely to see The Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo). Discover the wineries, farms and sea villages along the beautiful Garden Route from Cape Town along the coast to Tsitsikamma Forest and the pristine beaches and fishing communities from KwaZulu-Natal to the Wild Coast. In Spring, the flower grounds of Namaqualand in the Northern Cape become a blaze of vibrant colour, while the Drakensberg Mountains offer easy walking, game sanctuaries, Bushman rock art sites, challenging peaks and cascading waterfalls. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is now a world heritage site and proclaimed nature conservancy area. This is the essential guide to great places to visit, the best places to stay whatever your budget, the latest local trends and top spots.