The vastness of South Africa offers extremely varied landscapes recalling the history of various ethnic groups whose cultural remains are still alive. Between mountains, beaches, deserts and cities, the excursions and activities do not miss. Successive colonisations of the British and the Dutch brought a cultural wealth to the various areas. This diversity is represented through the 11 official languages spoken by a crossed population who will tell you his history with a lot emotion.
There is a wild South Africa where fauna and flora express themselves in all their splendour. You will observe it through safaris out of the ordinary, in natural reserves like the Kruger Park, Namakwa or National Mapungubwe Park. There is also a South Africa where the ancestral ethnic groups and traditions persist and whose particular architecture will charm you. Finally there is a modern South Africa whose dynamism can be felt in the big cities like Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg or Durban. You will find there an impressive cultural wealth which can be found in many museums but also expressed itself through street art, clubs of jazz and a modern architecture which mixes style of colonial time with Wraps-Dutch, or Art-Déco.
Located at the extreme south of the African continent, South Africa is the ideal destination for those who want to recall the history of Humanity, to appreciate fabulous landscapes and to discover numerous species of plants and animals. South Africa is also a dream destination for big thrills enthusiasts and the sportsmen of any kind who wish to dive with the sharks or to hike. It is also an interesting destination from a astronomical point of view, particularly for wine tastings, and to enjoy high quality seafood very tasty meats.
Braai which means “barbecue” is a paramount element for the inhabitants of South Africa. Each dwelling has its clean braai. Much more than one object, the braai indicates also the event of gathering around a barbecue. Most South-African dishes are cooked with the braai.
In the Zulu group for example, the Zulu language is still the main spoken language is one of the official languages of the country. The songs and dances of the Zulus are also very important because they are part of the practice of their religion. Xhosa are known for their red clothing along with facial paintings with red clay. Ndebele match their outfits with the geometrical paintings featured on their houses. For that purpose, they use many multicoloured pearls. The Swazis wear skins and furs and decorate them with garlands, pearl necklaces and bright colours pompoms.
South Africa is one of the 10 largest wine producing countries in the world. The area of the wines, also called Boland (which means “high ground”), is the most famous of the country and extends on a perimeter including Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franshoek, located at only a few tens of kilometres from Cape Town. You cannot miss the wine tastings in the various domains whose international reputation is already proven.
The South-African traditional kitchen reflects the influence of all the cultures having migrated in the country. We can find a mixture of Dutch, British, French, African, Malayan and Indian kitchen. In general, the South-Africans are big fans of barbecues, called Braai in the Afrikaner language. Each area has its speciality.
Because of the vastness of its territory, South Africa has many different climates. The area of the Cape benefits from a Mediterranean climate between September and April and a moderate climate between May and August. The south-east area has a wet subtropical climate, the area of north a tropical climate and finally the Atlantic coast has a desert-like climate.
Form your trip
A travel in South Africa is a surprising experience on many levels. Bathed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, the country enjoys a single geographical location. The striking aspect of South Africa when once starts looking at travelling there, is the infinite diversity of this ground- from savannas to steppes – from mountains to deserts and from animal parks to paradisiacal beaches. This natural mosaic echoes particularly well in the human diversity populating it. A travel in South Africa is an experience of contrast: between the Western big cities of the Cape or Johannesburg, their townships and the timeless Zulu villages scattered through the country.
Botswana has unique ecosystems, the Okavango Delta flooded naturally from May to October, the red Kalahari and Nxai Pan National Park with its lunar landscapes. Enjoy game drives in an exclusive and luxurious lodges.
With its 41 national parks, Kenya is unquestionably a safari destination. By its size and animal concentration, it has one of largest reserves in Africa. You will also be able to admire the show of the great migration between July and August.
Malawi represents Africa in all its authenticity and with all the ingredients necessary to enjoy a great experience. Some of its attractions are: Parks and reserves including the famous Big Five, a lake which serves as inland sea, the villages where one would believe in Kirikou, and very varied landscapes.