| Africa is a treasure-trove of natural beauty, from | | | | Cape Town is one of the cities in Africa that |
| verdant wetlands to dry rugged desert | | | | consistently wins international awards and |
| landscapes to tropical Indian Ocean archipelagos. | | | | accolades, and when you visit this gateway to |
| Here's what we think are the 5 best holiday | | | | Africa you will see why. |
| destinations of the Southern African region. | | | | It is a city like no other as it effectively embraces |
| 1. Zanzibar | | | | cosmopolitan, European influences and African |
| Zanzibar, also known as the Spice Islands, is | | | | tradition - the architecture, cultural activities and |
| where turtles flip flop up the sub-tropical beaches | | | | the people themselves reflect this fine blend. |
| to breed unhindered and the pungent scents of | | | | It is one of the few cities in the world where a |
| cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla will rouse your | | | | national park dominated by the iconic Table |
| senses. As too will the sights of eons-old dhows | | | | Mountain runs right through its heart and that is |
| gliding serenely past while you don your snorkeling | | | | blessed with unrivalled natural beauty. Long soft |
| gear for an encounter with the crescendos of | | | | white beaches compete with lush valleys where |
| colour that demarcate the deep. | | | | the famed Cape wine starts its life, and fields of |
| The island is one of the largest coral islands off | | | | fynbos set the mountains aglow with hues of |
| the east coast of Africa and is blessed with some | | | | greens. |
| of the world's most stunning beaches. The warm, | | | | 4. Okavango Delta |
| mesmerizingly blue ocean is completely safe and | | | | Set in the centre of Botswana's Kalahari Desert, |
| there is a vast choice of activities for those who | | | | the Okavango Delta is Africa's largest wetland and |
| tire of tanning. | | | | one of the natural splendours of the continent. |
| The oldest part of Zanzibar is Stone Town, a | | | | Instead of flowing to the ocean, the Okavango |
| world Heritage site, comprising of ancient buildings | | | | River spreads its life-giving waters throughout a |
| made out of clay, corral stone and lime. Once the | | | | massive area where the animals feast on the |
| meeting place of traders from all over the world, | | | | opulent gifts from the weather gods. |
| Stone Town is a fine blend of Arabic, African and | | | | The Delta is famous for its Tiger fishing, hollowed |
| Indian influences. | | | | out tree stumps called Mokoros - the only form |
| 2. Kruger National Park | | | | of transport in this untamed part of Africa - and |
| The Kruger National Park is one of the highlights | | | | the vast herds of animals that make for this |
| of any visit to South Africa and it is a story of | | | | desert oasis during the driest parts of the year. |
| unparalleled conservation success. In the late | | | | 5. Sossusvlei |
| 1890's, when big game hunting was the 'sport' of | | | | Sossusvlei has to be one of the most challenging |
| choice of the colonial bosses, land was | | | | and beautiful places on this planet. It is a brave |
| demarcated for the preservation of wild animals. | | | | beauty, a beauty of stark contrasts, awesome |
| Today the 2 million hectare conservation area is | | | | angles and incredible light variation. |
| the world leader in environmental management | | | | The tall red dunes of the Namib Desert define this |
| and is home to a hugely diverse population of | | | | vast, lonely area of Namibia where the shy |
| animals, including Africa's 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, | | | | inhabitants are dwarfed by the sheer size and |
| buffalo, lion and leopard! | | | | physicality of the sweeping, angular sand dunes. |
| Visitors have a choice of staying in the National | | | | The 'vlei' itself is a clay pan that occasionally fills |
| Park accommodation which, although rudimentary, | | | | with water during the rainy season and at these |
| is very affordable or in the private reserves that | | | | times the normally silent area becomes a bazaar |
| lie along the western border of the Park. | | | | of noise with rosy Flamingos fighting for food. |
| 3. Cape Town | | | | |