Secrets of South Africa

There are so many places and things to see in South Africa. Cosmopolitan Cape Town and iconic Table Mountain, big game viewing in Kruger National Park, the rolling vineyards and quaint farmsteads of the Winelands and the natural beauty of the Garden Route. These magical images all spring to mind when we think about South Africa. Join a Travelsphere escorted holiday and we’ll ensure you see all the highlights and discover many more of the secret splendours of this beguiling and beautiful country too.

Cape Town for free

South Africa represents excellent value, especially with a relatively weak rand. However we all like to get something for free and Cape Town is overflowing with choices. On a Travelsphere tour we include all the important sights but also give you time to make your own discoveries. One of our favourite ways to while away a morning is a stroll around the V&A Waterfront. The sophisticated mix of shops, craft markets and restaurants is tempting but this is still a working harbour and much of the historic fabric is intact. Follow the self-guided historical walking tour and along the way have your photo taken with Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, larger-than-life statues of both of these iconic figures stand in Nobel Square.

The Grape Escape

The French and the Dutch settled amidst the magnificent mountain ranges that surround Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the 17th century. Today this is the best known wine producing area in South Africa, at last count there were around 400 wineries. This region is also renowned for its superb restaurants where chefs use the finest local ingredients to create exciting and innovative dishes. Relax and enjoy the journey from ‘grape to glass’ on a winery visit and remember on a Travelsphere escorted holiday, someone else is taking care of the driving.

Encounters of the 'Ostrich' kind

Oudtshoorn is home to the world’s largest population of the unique, flightless ostrich and is considered to be the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. The town enjoyed a boom when ostrich feathers were all the rage in the 19th and early 20th century. Delicious but also low in fat, ostrich meat is now a regular feature on the South African menu. Learn more about this fascinating bird on a visit to an ostrich farm set amidst the striking desert landscape of the Klein Karoo.

Sunset and Oysters

Stretching 186 miles along the coastline the Garden Route encompasses some of the finest scenery of the Western Cape. Pristine white beaches, glassy lagoons and vast, green forests cover this majestic region. Gateway to the Garden Route, Knysna is also the perfect spot to spend a day or two on a Travelsphere holiday. Here you can enjoy the glorious sunsets and perhaps sample the renowned local oysters with a glass of crisp South African white.

Natural wonders

Dramatically beautiful but perhaps less well known than neighbouring Kruger National Park the splendours of the Panorama Route are quite simply breathtaking. Enjoy the jaw-dropping views from God’s Window to the shimmering waterfalls and verdant rainforest below. If you are a lover of nature why not join a Travelsphere Special Departure and visit Hermanus, one of the whale watching destinations of the world.

Did you know?

  • English is one of 11 official languages in South Africa. The list also includes Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and Sesotho
  • J.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa
    The world’s first heart transplant was performed in Cape Town by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in 1967
  • Snow falls on the peaks of the Eastern Cape’s Drakensberg Mountains and it is even possible to ski here during the winter months

Learn more about South Africa guided holidays

Let us take you there

  1. Ultimate South Africa

    Explore vibrant towns and cities, stunning panoramas and search for incredible wildlife on this all-encompassing South African adventure.

    • Return flights
    • 14 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels and lodges, 2 nights in flight
    • 23 meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners and welcome drink

    17 days from
    £3,874
    was £4,199
    Explore

  2. South Africa Safari - Tracking the Big Five

    Experience the ultimate safari, spending your days tracking the Big Five. Staying in a luxury boutique lodge you’ll discover a dazzling array of wildlife as well as have time to kick back and relax.

    • Return flights
    • 7 nights in a 5 star safari lodge, 2 nights in flight
    • 20 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunched, 7 dinners

    10 days from
    £2,599
    was £2,799
    Explore

  3. Ultimate South Africa Whale-Watching Special Departure

    Discover the very best of South Africa on this all-encompassing tour.

    • Return flights
    • 15 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
    • 24 meals: 15 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners and welcome drink

    18 days from
    £4,274
    was £4,499
    Explore