A world of diversity and difference in South Africa

From vast plains to rolling mountains and golden beaches to barren deserts, South Africa is a vast country of huge diversity. And its bustling cities are just as varied as its landscapes — from the likes of hustling Johannesburg to the cosmopolitan Cape Town.

Majestic Cape Town:
Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province. It is also the legislative capital of the country, being the location of parliament and other government buildings. One of these is the Old City Hall, a large Edwardian building in the city center that was built in 1905. It was here, on Feb. 11, 1990, that Nelson Mandela made his first public speech just hours after being released from prison.
Cape Town is noted for its architectural heritage, with the highest density of Cape Dutch style buildings in the world. One of its latest constructions is slightly different however, the main stadium that hosted matches during 2010 World Cup, the first to take place in the Africa continent.
Cape Town metropolitan area covers a vast sprawl; however the city center or ‘bowl’ is relatively small. It is nestled between Table Bay and the Table Mountain range, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the city.

Colorful Bo-Kaap:
Meanwhile, the Malay district of Bo-Kaap is also a favorite stop for visitors due to its brightly painted buildings. The neighborhood, located on a hill southwest of downtown, is the area historically inhibited by mainly Muslim descendants of slaves from South-East Asia. It’s a common location for film shoots due to its bright buildings, quaint streets, mosques and wonderful views over the rest of Cape Town.
The Grand Daddy Hotel can be found in the city’s famous Long Street, just a stone’s throw away from all of the city’s attraction. Its big talking point is its ‘penthouse’ trailer park, where a collection of vintage Airstream caravans nestles beneath the backdrop of Table Mountain. Each of the seven two-sleeper trailer suites are unique and have been conceptualized and designed by local artists.
The flat-topped Table Mountain, along with other famous peaks such as Lion’s Head and Apostles Mountain, form part of the Table Mountain National Park. The area is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top of Table Mountain. Its main feature is what gives Table Mountain its name, a 1,000m. high level plateau that measures approximately 3km from side to side.

The Victoria and Albert Waterfront marina, on top part of the docks of the Port of Cape Town, is the city’s most visited tourists attractions. It boasts a huge shopping and entertainment area. The slopes of Table Mountain is home to numerous shops, restaurants and amusement possibilities.

5 places to go to in South Africa:

- Kruger National Park:
Discover 15 ecosystems on a 4x4 game drive or walking safari while visiting the world-renowned park, which spans around 2 million hectares.
- Robben Island:
The island was home to one of the world’s most famous prisoners, Nelson Mandela. He turned an institute associated with brutality into a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit.
- Soweto:
The country’s largest and most famous township was a spark plug of anti-apartheid activity. Visit freedom struggle sites and eat at a township restaurant.
- Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve:
If you’re into scenic drives or hiking, the panoramic magnificence of the Blyde River Canyon is the perfect place for you.
- Wild Coast:
Craggy and untamed, the Wild Coast is where you can find deserted beaches, dolphins, horseback and hiking trails, cozy hotels, golf, mystical history, Xhosa heritage and the Hole-in-the-Wall.

The very green Garden Route:
The Garden Rout in the Western Cape is one of South Africa’s main tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay to St. Francis, along the Indian Ocean. Knysna, is considered to be the ‘pearl’ of this scenic route. At its heart is a lagoon protected from the sea by two monolithic sandstone cliffs of ‘Heads’. The town is also perennially green thanks to a Mediterranean Maritime climate and is a hotspot for arts and crafts, as well as adventure activities. Soaring above Knysna’s lagoon, offering breath-taking mountain and ocean views, is the Pezula hotel. Nestled in its own gold state on an exclusive cliff-top retreat, the hotel and spa also overlooks a nature reserve. The hotel consists of 78 luxurious suites, including 56 studio suites, 20 villa suites and two presidential suites.
The Garden Route is bordered by Little Karoo, a semi-desert region that boasts a number of small, picturesque towns and settlements such as Landismith and Barrydale. Nestled in the valley of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, the Barrydale hotel is a contemporary boutique styled hotel that is well known for its unusual décor.

Charming Simon’s Town:
Located at the east side of Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, Simon’s Town is a location that has served as an important naval base for more than two centuries. Boulders Beach consists of small coves with white sandy beaches interspersed between boulders of Cape granite. It is home to a world famous colony of African penguins that has been in residence since 1985. Muizenberg, found north of Simon’s Town, boasts a magnificent beach that stretches over a distance of 20 km. Considered to be the birthplace of surfing in South Africa, it and the nearby beaches of Saint James and Fish Hoek prove to be a draw for surf fanatics from all over the world.
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