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My list of unique experiences adds up to South Africa being one of the best holiday destinations in the world! Further to my previous writing, I gladly share more reasons why South Africa is a superb holiday destination of choice. The links to the rest of the 4-part series are published at the end of this article.
Southern regions get their rainfall mostly during winter, while northern regions have a dry winter and scattered showers during the summer. Conversely, depending on the altitude and the surrounding oceans, breathtaking landscapes await in coastal subtropical regions, snow-topped mountains, hot deserts, and humid highlands.
To the north, the Gauteng climate is of the world’s best climates. Despite it being a summer rainfall region, its summer days are warm and wind free. Winter is crisp, clear, and dry. To the south, Cape Town’s summer is windier but less rainy.
South Africa’s climate makes it undoubtedly the best vacation destination all year round. Durban in KwaZulu-Natal is known to have over 300 days of sun in one year.
Travelers from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Oman, and Europe – to mention just a few – get amazing value for their money based on currency exchange rates. However, it’s not just cheap at the price to shop in South Africa, you can find quality clothing, gorgeous souvenirs, authentic African jewelry, and specialty shopping unique to the country.
For instance, Rooibos tea was made by the Khoisan people way before 1772 when it was first recorded. (By the way, I found red bush tea in Europe, but it’s not the same thing!) Wine lovers should buy a bottle or two of South Africa’s signature wine, Pinotage. Buy a pair of “stokies”, a toweling (in and out) slipper/house shoe for the gents, from Woolworths.
The Western Cape Province
Cape Town, also known as the Mother City of South Africa, won the international Best City 2019 Telegraph Travel Award for the seventh year running and remains in the top five.
The Western Cape was voted Golf Destination of the Year in 2017 (IAGTO – International Association of Golf Tour Operators).
When you do a trip on the spectacular Garden Route, go to Oubaai Golf Course, Ernie Els’s first signature course in South Africa.
The Fancourt Country Club in George has three top-notch courses designed by Gary Player.
Western Cape wins’ award for “Best International Golfing Destination” - IAGTO
"Within the city of Cape Town, courses such as Royal Cape, Clovelly, Milnerton and Atlantic Beach boast magnificent views of the famous Table Mountain. Arabella Resort and Spa, situated on the Western Cape’s Whale Coast, is also a past winner of the prestigious “Golf Resort of the Year” award presented by IAGTO, and combined with Hermanus Golf Club and the opportunity to see Southern Right Whales nursing their young is just another unique experience on offer in this beautiful part of South Africa. The city of Cape Town, which is at the centre of this fantastic region, is one of the most celebrated tourism destinations in the world.
The IAGTO Awards were established in 2000 to reward exceptional contributions to the world of golf travel. IAGTO’s 500+ golf tour operators from 62 different countries cast their votes for these Awards."
At the Heart of Cape Town Museum, you will meander in the same rooms where the first heart was successfully transplanted into a human (1967).
Christiaan Barnard received many honors, including the Dag Hammarskjold International Prize and Peace Prize, the Kennedy Foundation Award, and the Milan International Prize for Science.
Camping is not every person’s cup of tea, so luckily there is glamping… which I particularly love. There are some comforts and luxuries from home that I dearly miss on a camping trip. Furthermore, if I can combine glamping and a game safari, I am super happy.
I share my recommendations, but of course, the country has plenty of options.
Suggested Read: Best glamping sites in the Western Cape.
Hermanus is known for whale watching. In fact, it’s the whale-watching capital of the country. Whether it is from the comfort of your bed in your hotel room, from your restaurant table, or a viewing point, or from the beach, there is plenty of opportunities to enjoy them. For instance, the southern right whale in Walker Bay.
You may also spot them in the calving waves below Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town, between Noordhoek and Hout Bay.
When? The best time for whale watching is from July to November.
Suggested Activities: Top Whale-Watching Experiences in South Africa
At Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town (in the Western Cape) is an African penguin colony that settled there in 1982.
The penguins also referred to as Jackass, are a protected bird and can only be found on South Africa and Namibia’s coastlines. What started off as only two breeding pairs, there now is a substantial colony.
Another reason for visiting Boulders Beach is that the granite boulders are believed to be about 540 million years old!
Foxy Beach, which is part of Boulders Beach, has a boardwalk that brings you in close proximity to these vulnerable birds.
Imagine celebrating the Christmas season with lazy days at the beach. Get the full scoop!
The astounding Congo Caves sits in Oudtshoorn, a spectacular underground wonder dating back to 1780. A tour (only guided tours are permitted) of the caves requires some stretching and crawling between warm and humid caves. With the help of some artifacts that were discovered and paintings, it is believed that Oudtshoorn’s cave system, located in the Klein Karoo of the Western Cape, is about 4,500 million years old!
It’s time to wine down in the Western Cape Province.
The country’s been producing wine for over 350 years. For the best of the country’s wines head on to the Western Cape, home to over 300 vineyards.
Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is unique to South Africa. It’s a deep red wine “high in tannins with smoky dark fruit flavors accented by earthy bramble characteristics.”
Indulge in some of the best wine tastings in the world at wine estates in Stellenbosch, Constantia, Franschhoek, and Paarl (the second oldest wine area).
No less than 38 South African wines claimed ‘Gold’ (95+ on the 100-point scale) at the 2019 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Discover the country’s awe-inspiring and diverse landscapes, scenic views, and abundance of flora and fauna by foot.
The country has more than 270 hiking trails safe to do with a tour guide. It is not recommended to go hiking on your own.
Cape Town alone has more than twenty hiking trails with breathtaking views.
For instance:
Are getting tired of waking up and not being at the beach?
With 27,000 km of dazzling coastlines of which 46 are Blue Flag beaches, there is no shortage of a summer holiday destination. You have well-known beaches such as Clifton, Camps Bay, Jeffrey’s Bay (in the Eastern Cape Province), and Plettenberg Bay. And then there are those hidden spots, not so well known and slightly away from the main cities. Like, Cape St Francis, Cape L’Agulhas, and Struisbaai. Incidentally, Struisbaai’s 14 km coastline is the longest, uninterrupted white sand beach in the Southern Hemisphere.
Very few things beat the sound of the ocean. And although you hear nothing when you close your sliding door, it’s the best sound when you open the door in the mornings.
This is the best hotel in Cape Town for getting the view of the majestic Table Mountain to your left, and Robben Island to your right. In addition to that, it’s the best hotel setting in Cape Town for the most perfect sunsets ever. In fact, you’ll be rushing back to your room not to miss the sunset.
Put a glass of bubbly in your hand, and add a friend or two and you’ll create memories that will stay with you forever.
Dungeons Beach is the most extreme big wave surf spot in the country for those thrill-seekers. Not only is it known as one of the world’s biggest wave beaches with unpredictable waves up to 40 feet and higher, but it’s also known for icy waters and sharks. You can only reach it by a 15-minute boat ride from Hout Bay Harbour.
I bet you did not know that the very first cycling event outside Europe to be included in the Union Cycliste Internationale‘s Golden Bike Series, was actually the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Previously known as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, the 109 km (68 mi) is cycled by international cyclists from across the world.
Although South Africa does not have a formal paved network of cycling lanes, it is many a cyclist’s dream holiday. Tour the Winelands or go on a wildlife safari… by bike.
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Planning a trip revolves around key elements like flights, accommodation, activities, and cuisine. They form the foundation of a successful travel experience.
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