Getaways While Visiting South Africa

Sun City

Sun City, unique in the context of world resorts, with a combination of features unmatched anywhere, draws thousands of visitors each year to its four top quality hotels, a Vacation Club plus magnificent sporting and recreational facilities including 2 world class golf courses, and the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves. Only 187 km from Johannesburg, the resort, situated in the bushveld of South Africa's North West Province, the Resort is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg.

The malaria-free Pilanesberg National Game Park is home to South Africa's Big 5 – Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo.

The Resort has been awarded a Gold classification from the Heritage Programme for its commitment to the principles of sustainable and responsible environmental practice. In addition to it's Gold Heritage status, Sun City Resort was awarded the 2007 Overall Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award in South Africa. Imvelo, meaning Nguni "nature," forms part of an ongoing hospitality industry campaign to encourage industry members to accept voluntary guidelines by promoting responsible tourism.

For a holiday unequalled in beauty, variety and interest, Sun City has something for everyone.

Garden Route

South Africa's Garden Route, spread out along the coast like a giant natural theme park, is a rich tapestry of very large trees, freshwater lakes and some big mountains.

Whether you are paragliding over sandy white beaches, spotting dolphins and whales from the air or cruising the deep blue ocean; it's a place where nature rules, and it does so beautifully.

While outdoor activities take centre stage in this natural theatre, fine food and drink are always at hand - this is South Africa's oyster capital after all.

With some of the country's best beaches and a climate that is perfectly suited to playing outdoors, the Garden Route has long established itself as South Africa's most popular tourist destination after Cape Town. It encompasses both Mosselbaai and Knysna along the Indian Ocean (see the map below).

Garden Route,accommodation is plentiful in these parts with everything from five star luxury to clear-starred camping sites. There is something for all tastes and pockets, but you do want to pre-book in season as this region is extremely popular with locals and international visitors.

Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.

Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

St. Lucia for Fishing

St. Lucia, the town, is at the southern entrance to the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park World Heritage Site. St. Lucia offers great activities all year round, including whale watching. Sport fishermen will enjoy game fishing, rock and surf fishing, fly fishing, and spear fishing. Also enjoy hippo cruises, kayak safaris, walking trails, and a crocodile farm. Or just lie on the beach and relax.

St. Lucia has thrived under its protected status as a National Game Reserve since 1897, the first game reserve in South Africa.

Mosselbaai

Situated midway along the Garden Route, beautiful Mossel Bay is a harbor town and popular holiday getaway for South Africans and foreign tourists alike. Busy in the summer and sleepy but no less charming in winter, it is one of the jewels of the Garden Route.

First established as a Portuguese colony in 1488, and named Aguada de Sào Bras, museums and assorted historical buildings abound. It was renamed Mosselbaai (Mossel Bay) in 1601 by the Dutch in recognition of the mussels, considered by gourmets among the world's finest.

While staying at Ditholo's guest house here, visit the Maritime Museum, the Granary Museum, the Cultural History Museum and the Shell Museum. Take a boat trip out to Seal Island to enjoy whales and dolphins. And don't miss the Post Office Tree, over 800 years old and declared a National Monument.

From Mossel Bay you can easily make a day trip to the towns of Knysna and George, or visit ostrich farms and Cango Caves. Also wine tasting and deep sea fishing. Day trips to Capetown are also available.