Described as the Shoreditch of South Africa, the Maboneng precinct is a great example of regeneration in Johannesburg. In 2008, a developer bought old construction offices and warehouses and transformed them into a creative centre known as Arts on Main. The area now exudes creative energy with independent coffee shops, boutique clothing stores and art galleries. There’s also an outdoor market which has a distinct bohemian style selling everything from leather jackets to sunglasses. In the evening, everything is packed away and music is played, giving the feeling of a spontaneous street party. On a walk around the precinct, you’ll also see interesting street art depicting well-known figures such as Nelson Mandela as well as imagery of African wildlife.
Sitting between the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and Table Mountain, Cape Town is surrounded by dramatic scenery. The best place to experience the view is from the top of Table Mountain – you you can get to it by hiking the route with a guide or by yourself, or by hopping into a cable car. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and both oceans. To discover some of the incredible food the city is becoming famous for, head to the high-quality restaurants dotted around the town or try a Cape Town Eats walking tour.
Although there is arguably no bad time to visit Cape Town, some months of the year offer a better experience than others. Christmas, for example, is incredibly busy with local holidaymakers so if you prefer boutique-style properties, you’ll need to book at least a year in advance.
KwaZulu-Natal is an eclectic region with everything from modern shopping centres to laid-back beaches. Worth a two-week trip in its own right, there are no end of things to discover here. For a taste of South Africa’s interesting history, start at the Battlefields in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A local guide will recall the battles at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift and you’ll learn how Ghandi, Paul Kruger and Winston Churchill were all involved in a struggle for the desolate summit of Spioenkop.
While in the area you can enjoy some of the many hikes through the beautiful surrounding scenery including a trek to the 2000-year-old Bushman paintings. You can also visit Hluhluwe-IMfolozi Game Reserve which is the oldest in Africa. In the 50s and 60s, the park was the base for Operation Rhino which was almost entirely responsible for protecting the white rhino from extinction.
When most people think of South Africa, Kruger National Park is often at the forefront of their minds. Kruger is one of the most diverse parks in Africa affording a truly quintessential safari experience. You can see all of the Big Five here; lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo, which count towards the 147 species of mammal that call the park home.
The northern part of the park is often regarded as the most rewarding because there are far fewer visitors there. With plains, sandstone hills and rivers dotted with mahogany trees the terrain is open, wild and very appealing for large herds of elephant. The north is also home to rare antelope species such as roan and sable. The reason for fewer visitors is because the northern sector is harder to access with a long drive from Phalaborwa airport required, the added effort is worthwhile for a more authentic experience.
The valleys of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are collectively known as ‘the Winelands’ and sit within reachable distance from Cape Town. All of the Winelands’ towns are surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery and home to fantastic vineyards. Paarl is the largest of the three towns and the spiritual home of the Afrikaans language, featuring interesting Cape Dutch architecture and wonderful locally-run restaurants. Stellenbosch is located at the heart of the Winelands and was South Africa’s first town to have European settlers, and many of the pretty avenues are lined with 300-year-old oak trees, historic mansions and stately homes. Franschhoek, meanwhile, directly translates to ‘French corner’ and is the prettiest town in the Winelands. Thanks to its French influence, it features some of South Africa’s best vineyards which sit in and around the town.
