South Africa

Located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is marked by several distinct ecosystems: Inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game, the Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl offers craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.

Cape Town

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain, where there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum. (October through April. Summer is December through March on this side of the globe, but the months leading up to and following it also boast mild weather and smaller crowds)

Stay: Cape Cadogan, Cape Heritage Hotel, Dock House, Ellerman House, One&Only Cape Town, Twelve Apostles

See:

  • Abseil Africa

  • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

  • Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

  • Chapman’s Peak Drive

  • District Six Museum

  • Groot Constantia

  • Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

  • Robben Island

  • S.A. National Gallery

  • Township tours

  • Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Johannesberg

South Africa’s biggest city and capital of Gauteng province, began as a 19th-century gold-mining settlement. Its sprawling Soweto township was once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. (The best time to visit Johannesburg is May through August, when there is abundant sunshine during winter)

Stay: Four Seasons, 54 on bath, Michelangelo Hotel, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

See

• Cradle of Humankind
• The Magaliesberg
• Northern Suburbs
• Soweto and the South
• MuseuMAfricA
• National Cultural History Museum
• National Zoological Gardens
• Origins Centre

Africa, TravelCarrie Mitchellafrica, travel