South Africa is a unique and multicultural country with an abundance of wildlife and stretches of scenery so vast that its hard to compare with any other destination. If the diverse wildlife, rolling mountains, stunning stretch of coastline and delicious culinary possibilities don’t entice your trip then perhaps the world class wines will.
Direct Flights from London
If you’ve ever wanted to visit South Africa but avoid the hassle of a long-haul transit then great news because there are direct flights available with multiple airlines. Having this selection removes worry about transfers and layovers with direct flights daily into either Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban. A direct flight from London to Cape Town will take just over 11 hours and the best part about travelling from the UK is no jetlag as there is only 1-hour time difference.
Rich History and Culture
South Africa is unlike any other place in the world with its distinctive culture and rich history there are plenty of reasons to visit this enlightening hub of diversity. South Africa is home to an impressive 8 World Heritage sites which are protected and visited by many individuals yearly. South African culture, lifestyle and religion has been widely celebrated in all regions of the country earning the title of “the rainbow nation”. There are many significant sites of historical importance to South Africa such as the Nelson Mandela statue in Pretoria or the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg highlighting a darker yet very important point in South Africa’s divided history. Join one of First Class Holidays history centric tours such as ‘Mandela Journey to Democracy’ an 8-day tour exploring historically significant sites in Johannesburg.
Undeniable Scenic Beauty
If scenery is what seek, look no further than South Africa, with its vast landscapes you’ll experience a multitude of geographical wonders. Born from volcanic erosive forces, the Valley of Desolation is a breath-taking sight in the Eastern Cape with sheer cliffs and columns of Dolerite rising 120 meters from the valley floor. An unimaginable way to capture the beauty of the country is taking the Blue Train journey, famed for its 1600km passage between Pretoria and Cape town, witness the remarkable scenery whilst onboard a luxurious butler service train. Surely a scenic experience in South Africa wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa and a perfect safari site for tracking the big five. First Class Holidays offer inimitable trips to experience South Africa’s spectacular scenery such as the ‘South Africa Explorer’ a 12-day scenic journey from Mossel Bay to Johannesburg including 3 nights in Kruger National Park.
27,000kms of Coastline
South Africa boasts an impressive 27000km Coastline with the Indian and South Atlantic oceans meeting at the southern tip of Africa. This impressive coastline has spawned an abundance of natural wonders for locals and visitors alike to appreciate. The Garden Route occupies a 300km stretch of this coastline allowing for one of the most scenic drives in the world passing mountain peaks, indigenous forests, lagoons and lakes. Every year a natural phenomenon unlike any other occurs off the eastern cape of KwaZulu Natal called The Sardine Run. This is the largest bio-mass migration on the planet and an unpredictable spectacle to witness with a gathering of whale, shark, cape gannets and dolphins in a feeding frenzy on this natural sardine buffet. Whale watching is best experienced in South Africa from June through November so hop aboard a whale-watching cruise and keep your eyes peeled for the 37 species of whale and dolphin found in these flourishing waters. First Class Holidays recommend the ‘Inspirational Garden Route’ a 6-day tour encompassing superior sightseeing of this dynamic coastline.
World-Class Wines
A popular reason to visit South Africa is to experience the world-class wines produced in the fertile soils of South Africa’s many wine regions. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice with a concentration of wineries occupying the regions with vineyards and cellar doors. The Stellenbosch region is world-renowned for its award-winning wineries and each wine showcasing unique characteristics based on climate and geography. The Paarl wine region is one of the oldest with Dutch settlers planting vineyards back in 1689, it has flourished thanks to the variations of soil types found on the mountain slopes, valleys and hillsides. An unmissable experience in the Cape Winelands is to ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram, based in the wine region of the same name this educational railway tram transports guests through the Franschhoek valley from the village whilst enjoying leisurely stops at local wine estates making for a distinctive wine expedition. At First Class Holidays we recommend the ‘Cape and Winelands Explorer’ for a wonderous wine-centric 7-day journey into Stellenbosch, Cape Town and the Winelands.
If you have been inspired to visit South Africa and discover some truly one of a kind experiences, Click here to view a selection of our suggested itineraries.
