South Africa is a large country, about twice the size of Texas, on the southernmost tip of the African continent.  

The country has dramatically varied natural beauty: sweeping coastlines, rugged mountains, savannah bushveld, and lush tropical vegetation.  The seasons are opposite of those in the U.S.: December through February is “summer”; June though August is “winter.”

South Africa is a young democracy, home of Nelson Mandela and a rich, multi-ethnic society

of people with 11 official languages. Since 1994, South Africa has been rebuilding itself into a true "rainbow nation" and has rebounded tremendously to become a country of equal rights, the most progressive constitution in the world, and global market appeal for its goods and services.

South Africa is a premier tourist destination. Although well known to Europeans for some time, South Africa is only starting to be discovered by Americans.  

Those who come to see South Africa for themselves are inevitably bowled over by the warmth of its people, by the sheer beauty of its natural wonders, and by the tremendous variety of options for the visitor to see and do.

South Africa has rugged, beautiful safari game parks; pristine beaches and scuba diving destinations, dramatic mountain hiking trails, big game and river fishing, quaint villages and

towns to explore and shop for local crafts, the Kalahari desert for 4x4 adventures, the awe-inspiring wildflowers of Namaqualand, world-class restaurants serving both traditional and international cuisines, cosmopolitan cities with vibrant nightlife, and many, many other attractions. 

South Africa also  has some of the most beautiful  golf courses in the world.  South Africa is the home of Gary Player, Retief (“the Goose”) Goosen, and Ernie Els, among other world-class golfers.  The country is dotted with the gorgeous golf courses they have designed, and is home to several top international tournaments.  

The winelands of South Africa are known as the most varied and beautiful in the world.

South Africa is blessed with over 9600 species of plants and flowers,  most of which are native

to the region.  This dramatic biodiversity of the Cape region enhances and makes more distinctive the terroir from which South African wines are born.

In the World Atlas of Wine, Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson write: “The most dramatically beautiful wine country in the world is surely South Africa’s.”  Indeed, the wine farms of South Africa rank among South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. 

Most of the wine regions have established their own designated “wine routes” to help steer the “vinotourist” from one wine farm to the next.  In addition to wines, the winelands also offer luxury and b&b accommodations, gourmet dining, beautiful scenery and charming Cape Dutch architecture.  

When you come, plan on staying for a while.  The touring options are endless.

SOUTH AFRICA

Some of the many things to see and do:

The largest sporting event in the world – the World Cup of soccer – is coming to South Africa in June 2010. This is the first time the event will be held on the African continent, and is putting South Africa front and center on the world map.

Visit wine estates to sample the incredible wines and foods of the region;

Enjoy luxury safari lodges near Kruger National Park where you can view the “Big 5” – lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and many other fauna & flora

www.sabisand.co.za

Hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains

www.cathedralpeak.co.za

Ride horses in the undiscovered Waterberg Mountains

Visit cosmopolitan Cape Town with its gourmet restaurants, wonderful shopping, theater and famous Table Mountain;

Camp in the dramatic unspoiled Kalahari Desert;

Walk among the flowers and green forests of the Eastern Cape’s Garden Route;

Swim, snorkel and scuba dive in the warm Indian Ocean;

Golf on world-class courses designed by the likes of Ernie Els and Gary Player www.fancourt.co.za

Dive in a cage to see Great White sharks;

Watch the Southern Right whales congregate in the bays near Cape Town as they raise their young www.hermanus.co.za

For more interesting and little-known facts about South Africa, its wines and winelands visit:

www.southafrica.net

www.safrica.info