South African adventure
Lynn Frieda explores exotic South Africa and reveals adventurous finds from Cape Town and beyond. 

WHY GO South Africa as a country mirrors its people and is a gigantic blend of colour and culture. It's Africa 101 due to its world-class infrastructure, which enables you to experience the wonders of this vast continent in relative safety and comfort within an achievable distance. Go bush bashing to spot wildlife on safari, eat gourmet meals overlooking a beach, a stunning valley or even Table Mountain in Cape Town and drive the stunning Garden Route along the coast of the Western Cape, before heading inland to the wine lands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

TO DO One of the best ways to experience Africa is on safari. The famous Kruger National Park (www.krugerpark.co.za) offers amazing access to wildlife, but there are also malaria-free parks such as the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North and private reserves - both in the Kruger and throughout the country. The malaria-free Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (www.kwandwereserve.co.za) near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province is home to thousands of animals, including the Big Five - which are the five most dangerous African animals to hunt on foot: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, black rhino and leopard - and is close to the coast and a relatively easy drive to the Garden Route.

                Plettenberg Bay (Plett) and Knysna, known for its oysters, are central towns along the Garden Route. Plett offers dolphin and whale watching from July to November. Nearby, Nature's Valley is a white sandy beach on the Indian Ocean which stretches for three kilometres and features a warm lagoon - perfect for picnicking and swimming. The Crags in Plettenberg Bay is also home to The Elephant Sanctuary (www.elephantsanctuary.co.za), Monkeyland (www.monkeyland.co.za), Birds of Eden (www.birdsofeden.co.za) and Tenikwa (www.tenikwa.co.za) - where you can visit cheetahs and other indigenous cats in their natural environment.

Cape Town - one of the world's most geographically stunning cities - is situated at the southern tip of Africa beneath the 1,000-metre high Table Mountain and is surrounded by beautiful beaches, such as Camps Bay. Just 40 kilometres south is the must-see Cape of Good Hope - where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Other must-do activities within this region include a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Boulders Beach penguin colony, a helicopter ride over the city, a sundowner cruise and a visit to the vineyards within Constantia, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek - which produce some of the world's finest wines. Robben Island (www.robben-island.org.za) is another must. Join a tour of the island and learn about the lives of the many prisoners held during Apartheid - in particular, that of Nelson Mandela. If you want to see how South Africa is struggling to repair the damage of Apartheid first-hand, a township tour is also worthwhile,

EAT & STAY South Africa offers an excellent range of accommodation from budget to luxury - for peak months of December and January book well in advance. Kurland Hotel (www.kurland.co.za) in Plettenberg is a series of Cape Dutch style houses set on 700 hectares of gardens and polo fields, offering swimming, tennis, horseback riding, bicycles and quad bikes, as well as spa facilities. The surrounding area is paradise for hikers, bikers and canoeists. Both Kwandwe Ecca Lodge (www.kwandwereserve.co.za) and Kurland are Relais & Chateaux properties - so expect innovative, seasonal, regional cuisine, including African wild game. Emily Moon River Lodge (www.emilymoon.co.za) near The Crags offers a sundowner deck overlooking the river valley.

Cape Town boasts a world-class food scene. The award-winning restaurant, La Colombe at Constantia Uitsig's Hotel and Wine Estate (www.constantia-uitsig.com) is a 40-minute drive from Cape Town and serves Italian-oriented dishes with Asian influences. The Indonesian-style Les Cascades de Bantry Bay (www.cascadescollection.co.za) is perched on the hillside below Lion's Head, in an exclusive neighbourhood overlooking the Atlantic. The Foodbarn (www.thefoodbarn.co.za) bistro in Noordhoek was created by the former head chef of La Colombe and blends local influences with Provencal, Moroccan, Middle Eastern and pan-Asian, serving up delicacies in a former farm store overlooking the tiny town. A cooking school will soon open.

GETTING THERE Fly direct to Johannesburg or to Cape Town via Johannesburg with Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeairlines.com) or via Dubai with Emirates (www.emirates.com). Once in South Africa, hire a car to fully enjoy your stay. The areas surrounding Cape Town are easy to navigate and while it's wise to be cautious, South Africa's roads are relatively safe and are typically a pleasure to drive on.

Posted Aug 09