Contrary to popular belief, South Africa is not devastatingly poor with an unstable government. Although the rural parts of South Africa remain among the poorest and the least developed parts of the world, and poverty in the townships is a fact of life, progress is being made. The process of recovering from apartheid, which lasted almost 46 years, is quite slow but is progressing none the less. Behind its incredible natural beauty, South Africa is the stage for the daily drama of one of the world’s greatest experiments in racial harmony. The intensity of this drama surrounds you wherever you go, and is likely to be one of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of your travels.

South Africa is a fantastic value-for-money destination, particularly if one is travelling on the GB Pound or the Euro. It is an all-year destination because there are so many sunshine hours per year, with temperate weather even in the low-season. Geographically, the extremes of this beautiful country include the snow-capped mountains of the Drakensberg Range, the lush sub-tropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal province, the arid semi-desert region of the Karoo, and the verdant valleys of the Western Cape. There are stunning beaches for summer swims and winter strolls – with 19 of them having been awarded international Blue Flag status. Mountains and valleys, deserts and plains, urban pursuits and rural splendours. Cape Town, as the most southerly city on the African continent, is an unequalled destination for tourists and has been the most popular place to visit in South Africa for many years, and is an ideal springboard from which to launch you travels up the coast, inland, or even into neighbouring countries.

The different sorts of accommodation that are available in South Africa are as diverse as the country itself. From the most basic back-packers lodges to self-catering apartments, from bed & breakfast establishments to 6-star super-luxury hotels. Throw in wildlife parks such as the Kruger Park where you can experience an amazing array of wild animals in their natural habitat, Eight World Heritage Sites (including the Cradle of Humankind at Sterkfontein), beautiful natural scenery, a great infrastructure, and a stable post-apartheid environment and you have a great destination just waiting to happen.
Whether you are planning a visit to South Africa in the near future or you are planning your visit to coincide with the 2010 Soccer World Cup, your visit will be a rewarding, thrilling, exciting adventure.