---

Visit South Africa

South Africa is a big, beautiful country, promising the experience of a lifetime. We offer hospitable people, glorious weather, spectacular scenery, a wealth of culture, wildlife and wilderness, and world-class hotels and restaurants. "Once considered the secret haven of upscale travellers, South Africa has moved into the mainstream," Kathleen H Dodge wrote in the Physicians Money Digest. "Few spots on earth offer vacationers options that combine wine tasting with wildlife, five-star comfort with game viewing in the African bush. The only complaint - visitors wish they could stay longer."

• South Africa's tourism industry
• Business tourism in South Africa
• South Africa's exciting cities
• South Africa: sporting paradise
• The adventure starts here

The animals alone are reason to visit. One of the world's first wildlife conservation areas was South Africa's Kruger Park, more than a century old. Today it is just one part of a broad conservation area reaching across national borders into neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe. An hour's drive from such urban jungles as Pretoria and Johannesburg, you can see lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and hundreds more species in the raw African bush. For birders, South Africa offers over 850 recorded species. There are many remote places to escape to in South Africa's varied landscape, from the massive Drakensberg range of mountains, which run like a spine down the length the country, to the rock formations of the Cedarberg mountains in the west, the Northern Cape's haunting Richtersveld area, and the vast plains of the Karoo desert. Then there are golden beaches, some of the world's best surf, ecosystems found nowhere else in the world, an opportunity to experience African culture firsthand - and one of the least expensive holiday destinations you'll find. South African food celebrates our rich heritage and natural bounty of seafood, meat, game and plants. And our wine has been earning rave reviews internationally for 300 years. Cultural experiences include modern art galleries, rock art centres, state-of-the-art museums, remote cultural villages, city jazz clubs and open-air festivals. For adrenaline junkies, there's world-class rock climbing, surfing, diving, hiking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting - and a host of other adventures supported by dedicated operators. Our cities are an exciting mix of first- and third-world influences. From happening Cape Town - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - to busy, bustling Johannesburg, each has its own unique attractions.

• South African travel experiences

South Africa's tourism industry South Africa's scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate, cultural diversity and value for money have made it one of the world's fastest-growing holiday destinations. International tourism to South Africa has surged since the end of apartheid. In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, only 3.9-million foreign visitors arrived in the country. By 2004, international arrivals had more than doubled to 6.7-million. And in 2007 a total of 9.07-million foreigners visited South Africa - an 8.3% increase over 2006 - as the country broke its annual tourist arrivals record for the third year running. International tourist arrivals (in millions) (Data source: Department of Tourism) Tourism is also one of the fastest growing sectors of South Africa's economy, its contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) increasing from 4.6% back in 1993 to 8.3% in 2006. Directly and indirectly, tourism constitutes approximately 7% of employment in South Africa. And the outlook for the industry is extremely positive, particularly with the exposure the country will receive in the lead-up to the world's biggest sporting event, the Fifa World Cup, taking place in South Africa in 2010.

• South Africa's tourism industry

Business tourism in South Africa Business tourism - ranging from small meetings and leadership breakaways to major conferences and exhibitions - is booming in South Africa. The country's conference industry moved up to 31st place in the International Congress and Convention Association's lastest top-40 list of leading destinations in the world, released in May 2007. And in the 2007 M⁢ Trends & Spends Survey of readers of the influential Meetings and Incentive Travel (M⁢) magazine - circulated to event organisers throughout the UK - Cape Town topped the list of favourite long-haul destination cities, while South Africa was voted the second favourite long-haul destination country. This comes as no surprise. With its first-world infrastructure, balmy climate and breathtaking scenery - not to mention acres of golf courses - South Africa is an ideal location for international congresses and conventions. The country has well over 1 000 world-class conference and exhibition venues, ranging from intimate bush hideaways to large-scale, hi-tech convention centres. All of these offer a wealth of leisure activities, side-tours and events: from walking with elephants to first-hand experiences of African culture to luxury shopping and relaxation. More than that, however, South Africa's history and culture make it uniquely different. The country is a rich repository of African traditions that can be directly related to business methodologies worldwide. The philosophy of ubuntu - "a person is a person because of other people" - emphasises the function of business in society as a whole, and the essential partnerships between business, government, labour and civil society. At the same time, the country's transition from apartheid to democracy offers invaluable lessons in creative solutions and innovative thinking. South Africa also offers a close connection with nature. A business breakaway in the African bush offers the chance to contemplate and solve problems, while providing an ideal setting for team-building.

• Conferences and expos in South Africa

South Africa's exciting cities South Africa's cities are an exciting mix of first- and third-world influences, each with its own unique attractions: from Cape Town - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - to busy, bustling Johannesburg. Cape Town, South Africa's oldest and loveliest city, lies in Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Beautiful buildings, the nearby winelands, long white beaches and a rich cultural life make the city South Africa's most favoured tourist destination. Perched between the ocean and the mountain, Cape Town offers rock climbing, surfing and diving along with a vibrant nightlife, excellent wine and endless shopping. Highlights are the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with upmarket shops, restaurants, crafts sellers and street performers all housed in a working harbour, and a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were held during the apartheid era. Cape Town was nominated as the world's leading destination in the 2005 World Travel Awards, and named the best destination in Africa. It was also voted the best foreign city in the UK's 2004 Telegraph Travel Awards. Two restaurants in and around Cape Town are rated among the world's top 50, according to Restaurant magazine's 2006 list. La Colombe at Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate was placed 28th - and named the best restaurant in Africa and the Middle East - and Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek 38th. The de facto capital of Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling, sprawling city of contrasts, spread across the small but densely populated province of Gauteng. Everyone is on the move - doing business, making money, jogging, going to gym, cycling, partying till late, eating out, and attending shows, movies and exhibitions. If you're a city person, you'll love Joburg. Johannesburg has the tallest office block in Africa, the Carlton Centre (50 stories) and the tallest tower, the Hillbrow Tower (90 stories). It's also the world's largest man-made forest, with over 10-million trees in parks, gardens and on sidewalks. Forty percent of all the world's human ancestor fossils have been found near the city, and it houses the only two polar bears in Africa, at the Joburg Zoo. To the south of Johannesburg is Soweto, South Africa's largest and wealthiest township. Infused with the history of the struggle against apartheid and abuzz with the energy of the city of gold, Soweto is a must-see for tourists who are looking for more than sun, sea and wildlife. If Johannesburg has a business culture and Cape Town a culture culture, Durban has a beach culture. The warm Indian Ocean and the city's tropical climate make it one of the nicest places in South Africa. The uShaka Marine World on the waterfront offers a world-class aquarium, wild water rides and spectacular displays by trained seals and dolphins.

• Experiencing South Africa's cities

South Africa: sporting paradise We're a sports-mad nation. South Africa's balmy weather and top-notch sporting facilities make it ideal for rugby, cricket, football, swimming, athletics and, of course, golf . Our national teams are world-class. The rugby Springboks walked away with the 1995 World Cup, football's Bafana Bafana clinched the 1996 African Cup of Nations, and the cricketing Proteas made it to the finals of the 2000 Cricket World Cup, hosted in South Africa. When a South African team wins, a cacophony of hooting, cheering, banging of dustbin lids, blasting on plastic vuvuzela trumpets and fireworks reverberates across the cities. The national adrenaline goes into overdrive. Maybe even the GDP goes up ... More than 10% of foreign tourists come to South Africa to watch or participate in sport events, with spectators accounting for 60% to 80% of these arrivals. Our extensive sporting facilities can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators in comfort. And they're getting a boost from the 2010 Fifa Football World Cup, to be hosted here, which will see a R7.3-billion investment in 10 magnificent world-class stadiums. And then there's the golf. South Africa boasts an ideal climate for spending time out on the fairways under the bright African sun, and when it comes to courses, golfers here are blessed for choice. If you enjoy the challenge of a coastal course, there is a stunning selection available; if you prefer playing at altitude, where the ball flies that much further, the selection is just as good. Probably the most famous golf course in South Africa is the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which offers the largest first prize of any tournament in the world. In 2005 Golf Digest USA rated five South African golf courses among the world's top 100 outside the US, with Leopard Creek Country Club in Mpumalanga coming in at number 25. There are many other world-class courses that have featured on both the European PGA Tour as well as the local Sunshine Tour, and a wealth of excellent courses besides. South African has produced professional golfers of the highest calibre, including Gary Player, Bobby Locke, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, major winners all - and once you've experienced some of the courses we have to offer, you'll understand why.

• Sport in South Africa
• Golf courses in South Africa

The adventure starts here Whatever you want, we've got it. Our adventures range from wild river-rafting and horseback riding to vibrant music and night-life, encounters with indigenous cultures and journeys back to our primal human origins. South Africa's thousands of miles of coastline, breathtaking mountains - often side by side - and ideal climate for outdoor activities make it a rich hunting ground for adrenaline seekers. We offer some of the best, and most diverse, rock climbing in the world. The cliffs are big, wild - and still being discovered. River trips range from mostly scenic to grade five whitewater washing machines. The art of canyoning - known here as kloofing - is another hot favourite. There are over a hundred listed paragliding or hang-gliding launch sites, with schools in every centre. Also up in the air, there are many opportunities for helicopter rides, balloon flights, aerobatics, skydiving and microlight flights. Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails wind around the country in desert, forest, mountain or coastal terrain, many with mountain bike trails adjacent. At 216 metres, Bloukrans Bridge in the Eastern Cape is the world's highest commercial bungee jump, while Table Mountain in Cape Town offers the highest abseil. And from the West Coast's wild stretches of sand to the subtropical shores of Maputaland, there's a beach for every reason. Watch the sun rise over ocean, work up that perfect tan, or get more active. South Africa offers some of the world's best surfing, windsurfing, diving - and whale-watching. After the sun sets, there's the buzzing music, dance and theatre scene, at venues ranging from bushveld festivals and botanical gardens to dark nightclubs and posh theatre complexes. Music is in our blood. Buy a CD, go to a club, listen to street buskers, visit a cultural village or walk past a church on a Sunday morning - however you experience South African music, you'll find it difficult to keep your feet still. Nothing beats actually meeting people. South Africa's many cultural villages offer a close-up insight into the country's traditional cultures. And in the major centres, township tours will put you in touch with real South Africans and their history. Our people also produce a remarkable range of arts and crafts for sale, working from the pavements and markets of the big cities to deep rural enclaves, with every possible form of traditional artwork - and then some. And remember, no matter where you're from, this is where your roots are. It's pretty much accepted that human life started in South Africa. Most people look at the world differently after a tour of the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg - one of the richest hominid fossil sites in the world.

• Adventure activities in South Africa
• Cultural adventures in South Africa

Section last updated: March 2008

SAinfo reporter