South African Explorer

Dullstroom rises at over 2,000 metres on the Mpumalanga Highlands plateau, the undisputed capital of fly fishing in South Africa. Its cool climate, crystal-clear streams and many mountain-fed dams draw anglers from across the country in search of rainbow and brown trout amid the rolling grasslands of the Tonteldoos Valley. The village keeps a high-country mood of crackling fireplaces, whisky distilleries, cosy cafés and craft shops along its main street. Nearby you can explore scenic escarpments, spot cranes and other rare birds in the high-altitude wetlands, and walk trails through a landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Dullstroom is the perfect stop for those seeking quiet, nature and a slower pace among the mountains.

Dizzying escarpments, thundering waterfalls and one of the most spectacular canyons on the planet: the Panorama Route crosses the province of Mpumalanga, offering some of South Africa's most memorable scenery. Its jewel is the Blyde River Canyon, a vast gorge carved into red rock and cloaked in subtropical vegetation, dominated by the imposing Three Rondavels. Along the way unfold unforgettable viewpoints: God's Window, a breathtaking outlook over the lowveld plain, the curious eroded formations of Bourke's Luck Potholes and one waterfall after another, from Lisbon Falls to Berlin Falls. The historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim's Rest recalls the saga of the nineteenth-century gold rush. Often combined with safaris in the nearby Kruger, the Panorama Route is a journey through nature at its grandest, where every bend reveals a new horizon to behold.

The Panorama Route itinerary winds from the rugged Drakensberg mountain range to Kruger National Park, passing through sites such as God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, the Mac Mac Falls, and the Blyde River Canyon: a succession of mountain streams, rolling hills, spectacular waterfalls, and imposing mountain gorges. The towns of Lydenberg and White River are located at the beginning of the Panorama Route. Other small towns include Sabie, Graskop, Orighstad, Hoedspruit, and Hazyview. The most famous is Pilgrim's Rest, a kind of living museum dedicated to the gold rush era. Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest in the world, stretching 20 km long and reaching depths of up to 700 m: God's Window is its most spectacular viewpoint. Other notable sites include Bourke's Luck Potholes, giant potholes carved over millions of years by the rotating movement of water; the Three Rondavels, rocky mesas with a shape reminiscent of African conical roof constructions; and the summit of Long Tom Pass, the mountain pass named after the cannon used by the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War. Along the way, you can stop at small art galleries and local craft shops. The Panorama Route also offers a wide choice of places to stop for a meal or a snack. The Greater Kruger is one of the most extraordinary protected ecosystems in Southern Africa. It includes the famous Kruger National Park, covering 19,500 km² and stretching nearly 350 km from north to south, making it one of the largest and most iconic national parks on the continent, as well as a series of exclusive adjoining Private Game Reserves and Nature Reserves, including Kapama, Karongwe, Klaserie, Manyeleti, Moditlo, Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Thornybush, which share unfenced borders with the park. This allows wildlife to move freely across a vast protected area of more than two million hectares. The region is home to the legendary Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – together with cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, antelopes and over 500 bird species, set within a diverse landscape of savannahs, riverine forests and ancient granite outcrops. The Private Game Reserves offer a more exclusive safari experience compared to the national park: limited vehicle numbers, highly skilled guides and the possibility of off-road driving allow for close encounters with wildlife, always respecting the natural environment. These are complemented by early morning and sunset game drives, guided bush walks and luxury lodges immersed in the wilderness, delivering an authentic and immersive safari experience. The Greater Kruger is accessed through the official gates of Kruger National Park. The area is served by Hoedspruit (Eastgate) Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) and Skukuza Airport, with regular flights from major South African cities. The Greater Kruger is the essence of the African safari: a vast and untouched wilderness where nature still dictates the rhythm of life, and every outing delivers unforgettable moments.

Eswatini, a small kingdom nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, is one of Africa's last absolute monarchies, keeper of living traditions and surprisingly varied landscapes. Within a compact territory, verdant mountains, fertile valleys and warm savannas alternate, crossed by reserves such as Mlilwane, Hlane and Mkhaya, where rhinos, elephants and antelopes can be spotted. Swazi culture comes alive in traditional ceremonies like the Umhlanga and the Incwala, and in craft markets renowned for woven baskets, carvings and colourful candles. The royal capital Lobamba and lively Mbabane are gateways to a welcoming, authentic country. Between nature, royalty and warm hospitality, Eswatini offers an intimate experience of the most genuine Africa, often combined with safaris in the nearby Kruger.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first natural site in South Africa to earn the distinction, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park stretches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast for more than three hundred kilometres, enclosing an extraordinary mosaic of ecosystems. The village of St Lucia, a lively gateway, sits where the great estuary meets the Indian Ocean: its waters are home to hundreds of hippos and Nile crocodiles, best seen on a sunset boat cruise. All around stretch lakes, marshes, coastal forests, some of the world's tallest dunes and pristine beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. The Zulu name "iSimangaliso" means "miracle", and rightly so: here you can spot elephants, rhinos, leopards and an exceptionally rich birdlife, while whales and dolphins pass offshore. St Lucia is the perfect meeting of safari, ocean and untamed nature, in one of Africa's most precious environmental sanctuaries.

Ballito is a famous tourist destination in KwaZulu-Natal, about 40 kilometers north of Durban.

Oudtshoorn rises in the arid heart of the Klein Karoo, amid mountain ranges and semi-desert landscapes, and is known worldwide as the ostrich capital of the globe. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the trade in ostrich feathers made the town wealthy, leaving behind elegant “feather palaces” — grand Victorian mansions that still recall that golden age. Nearby, visitors tour the ostrich farms and explore the spectacular Cango Caves, one of the most impressive limestone cave systems in southern Africa. Not far away, the Cango Wildlife Ranch offers close encounters with crocodiles and big cats. Local cuisine celebrates ostrich meat, while Karoo wines accompany the region’s robust flavours. Oudtshoorn is a surprising stop along the scenic Route 62.

The Cape Winelands, also known as the Boland ("upland"), are the heart of South Africa's wine-producing region. Stretching inland from Cape Town, this renowned area is characterised by rolling vineyard-covered hills, dramatic mountain ranges and breathtaking scenery. The surrounding mountains create a unique microclimate, providing ideal conditions for the production of world-class wines. The region is home to three iconic destinations. Stellenbosch, founded by the Dutch in the 17th century, is celebrated for its elegant Cape Dutch architecture, prestigious wine estates and vibrant atmosphere. Franschhoek, established by French Huguenot settlers, is regarded as South Africa's culinary capital, renowned for its award-winning restaurants, innovative chefs and exceptional wineries. Paarl, dominated by the impressive Paarl Rock, has emerged as a must-visit destination, offering historic wine estates, authentic charm and a thriving food and wine scene. Beyond award-winning wine tastings, the Cape Winelands offer scenic drives, local markets, outdoor activities and unforgettable culinary experiences, making the region a perfect blend of nature, culture and gastronomy.

Cape Town rises in one of the most spectacular natural settings on earth, hemmed between the ocean and the towering flat-topped wall of Table Mountain, which presides over South Africa’s most beloved city. The cableway to the summit unveils 360-degree views over the city, the peninsula and the Atlantic, while the trails of Table Mountain National Park — UNESCO-listed as part of the Cape Floral Region — wind through the world’s unique endemic fynbos vegetation. The historic heart reveals itself on foot around the Company’s Garden and the city-centre museums, while the Malay quarter of Bo-Kaap dazzles with its vividly painted houses and historic mosques, the legacy of a community with deep roots and a spice-rich cuisine to sample in its small eateries. Along the seafront, the V&A Waterfront blends a working harbour with markets, boutiques and seafood restaurants, and is the departure point for boats to Robben Island, the prison island where Nelson Mandela spent many years of captivity and which is now a place of memory. To the south the peninsula unfolds along scenic roads such as Chapman’s Peak Drive towards the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, where the oceans seem to meet; along the way, Boulders Beach shelters a colony of African penguins. The beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, beneath the Twelve Apostles, invite relaxation, while a short drive away the winelands of Constantia, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer tastings among vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. Between grand landscapes, a complex history and a lively food scene, Cape Town is best savoured slowly, letting the sea, the mountain and the African light tell their story.