11 Day Highlights of South Africa

About the destination: Johannesburg is the port of entry for the majority of tourists visiting South Africa and its largest city. First time visitors may also not be aware that Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60km from each other, but the two cities are worlds apart, and the contrast is fascinating. South Africa's largest city is cosmopolitan, quirky and vibrant with glorious weather and friendly people. One of Johannesburg endearing characteristics is that it is a truly international and very cosmopolitan place. Johannesburg is unapologetically and unmistakably African with enough First World infrastructure to make for comfortable tourism. Newtown and the Market Theatre area are the city's cultural precinct. Braamfontein, the university area, has a great Saturday market, lively night life, is very artsy. Don’t miss the stunning Apartheid Museum. The most well-known and celebrated of South Africa's townships is Soweto, the sprawling mix of shanty town and formal housing estates that lies approximately 30km outside of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Johannesburg offers lots of interesting and often quirky things to do, be willing to scratch beneath the surface and you'll find enough to happily occupy a few days and provide excellent context to help you understand the turbulent history that has made South Africa what it is today.

About the destination: Pretoria is a city placed in the north part of Gauteng's province, in South Africa, inside the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane's City. It is the administrative capital of South Africa, close to the cardinal cities legislative of Cape Town and the Bloemfontein's judicial one. The Executive Power is located in Pretoria. The metropolitan area of Pretoria is the fifth one in importance of South Africa, with an estimated population of 2.985.997. Pretoria is considered to be the city that offers more services on the national level in university studies, with universities such as the University of Pretoria, founded in 1908 which is one of the oldest ones and extensive in the public area, the University of South Africa, which is the first one in the country that offers qualifications distantly, and Tshwane's Technological University, which receives the major quantity of sciences students in South Africa. Also it is the headquarter of the Council for the Scientific and Industrial Investigation of South Africa. Pretoria is also known popularly in Africa as “The city Jacaranda “due to the quantity of trees Jacaranda that exists in the streets, parks and gardens. Some of the most attractive tourist destinations of Pretoria, apart from the already mentioned ones, are: Groenkloof's natural reserve, Vrootrekker's monument and the buildings of the union.

About the destination: Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town holds the parliament although the capital of South Africa is Pretoria. Cape Town is situated at the base of Table Mountains which is surrounded by both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Cape Town is a place which has everything from beautiful mountains and great beaches to scenic mountain ranges and delicious wine routes. Walk around Green market square or through the squirrel filled gardens by the SA Cultural History Museum just of the main Adderley Street. The esplanade in the shadows of the City Hall serves as a stage for political rallies as well as a market selling anything from food to clothes. The Castle of Good Hope overlooks the esplanade and it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa. One of the oldest residential areas of Cape Town, the Bo Kaap is a unique neighborhood with a strong cultural and social history. Visit Nobel Square and see a tribute to four of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winners. Cape Town has some of the finest beaches in Africa, all of which have the clean white beach sand particular to the Cape. Cape Town is a spectacular place with something for everyone, sun, beaches, friendly people, African culture, good food, great wine and fantastic scenery. What are you waiting for?

About the destination: tellenbosch is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated about 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste River. It is the second oldest European settlement in the province, after Cape Town. The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads. Stellenbosch has its own municipality (incorporating the neighbouring towns of Pniel and Franschhoek), adjoining the metropolitan area of the City of Cape Town. The town is home to Stellenbosch University. Technopark is a modern science park situated on the southern side of the town near the Stellenbosch Golf Course.

About the destination: The Kruger Park is an all year round destination, with each season bringing its own highlights. Whatever time you decide to safari in the Kruger National Park. Game viewing can be at its best during the dry winters months, however the wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, many newborn wildlife and the summer migrant birds arrive.