Fly & Drive Highlights Z-Afrika

About the destination: Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town holds the parliament although the capital of South Africa is Pretoria. Cape Town is situated at the base of Table Mountains which is surrounded by both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Cape Town is a place which has everything from beautiful mountains and great beaches to scenic mountain ranges and delicious wine routes. Walk around Green market square or through the squirrel filled gardens by the SA Cultural History Museum just of the main Adderley Street. The esplanade in the shadows of the City Hall serves as a stage for political rallies as well as a market selling anything from food to clothes. The Castle of Good Hope overlooks the esplanade and it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa. One of the oldest residential areas of Cape Town, the Bo Kaap is a unique neighborhood with a strong cultural and social history. Visit Nobel Square and see a tribute to four of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winners. Cape Town has some of the finest beaches in Africa, all of which have the clean white beach sand particular to the Cape. Cape Town is a spectacular place with something for everyone, sun, beaches, friendly people, African culture, good food, great wine and fantastic scenery. What are you waiting for?

About the destination: Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine. Here breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories. Spectacular vineyards cover these mountain slopes settled more than 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. This is a valley rich in history centered around a picturesque village of friendly, welcoming people. The wonderful spectrum of visitor accommodation ranges from internationally renowned auberges and guest houses to self-catering cottages on wine farms and much more besides. In the village you will find wonderful crafts, art and antique shops and galleries. The main street is lined with coffee shops and restaurants. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town Franschhoek is the ideal base while you explore the entire Cape winelands. Historical and Cultural Heritage After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France in 1685, when Protestantism was outlawed, hundreds of so-called Huguenots fled their homeland, 277 of them arriving by ship at the Cape of Good Hope. Many of them were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Oliphantshoek (Elephant’s Corner) – so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. Soon after they settled here, it become known as Franschhoek (French Corner). This heritage lives on today with the Huguenot monument standing proudly at the top of the village. The museum nearby chronicles the history of those brave pioneers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell. Wonderful Wines Driving into Franschhoek you will notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names and are usually complete with a spectacular Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks and luscious vineyards. There are a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, and large cellars that offer organized tours and conducted tastings. The Gourmet Capital Although it varies by year up to eight of South Africa’s “Top 100” restaurants are in Franschhoek – the gourmet capital of the country. Leading chefs create everything from world-class cuisine to light meals using the freshest produce of the valley, complemented by the wonderful local wines. Linger a while and savour the hospitality, ambience and variety of our many great restaurants.

About the destination: Oudtshoorn, the "ostrich capital of the world", is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Two ostrich-feather booms, during 1865-1870 and 1900-1914, truly established the settlement. With approximately 60,000 inhabitants, it is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. The town's economy is primarily reliant on the ostrich farming and tourism industries. Oudtshoorn is home to the world's largest ostrich population, with a number of specialized ostrich breeding farms, such as the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.

About the destination: Knysna's beautiful city is placed to 73 kilometers of George's airport. There are 157000 hectares of the Route of the Garden, proclaimed National Park. It is surrounded the shores of the pristine estuary Knysna, Indian Ocean and thousands of the hectares of the beautiful indigenous forest. The visitors can explore his natural beauty doing mountain biking, seeing whales, to enjoy his magnificent beaches. The housing in this city changes from the life of municipality to houseboats, from top cabins of tree to hotels of luxury of five stars. There is a great variety.Some interesting things that you can do in Knysna are: go fishing in Knysna's lake, excursions to the mountain to estimate the fauna and the nature, do the tour featherbed through a natural reserve. It’s the perfect place to relax and to enjoy the nature.

About the destination: Jeffreys Bay (also known as J-Bay) (in Afrikaans, Jeffreysbaai) is a town belonging to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and, in turn, a bay that receives the same name located between those of Garden Route and that of Sunshine Coast

About the destination: Durban is a city of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the banks of the Indian Ocean. With 3,5 million inhabitants it is the biggest third city of the country, after Johannesburg and Cape Town Durban is South Africa’s self-styled 'playground', where year-round warm weather encourages visitors to make the most of the province’s outdoor lifestyle. Also known as 'Surf City', Durban is renowned for its magnificent bathing and surfing beaches, which stretch along the city's beachfront from Durban harbor in the south to the upmarket suburb of Umhlanga in the north. An expansive paved promenade offers access to the best of these beaches – the Golden Mile – where joggers, cyclists, dog owners, surfers, body boarders and walkers enjoy early-morning and late-afternoon exercise. Visitors cannot miss, Segway tours, a city-viewing Sky Car and bungee swing. Culturally, Durban exhibits a mix of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences, reflected in the city’s architecture and cuisine. Curries, seafood and fusion food are popular at beachfront restaurants, and coffee shops that line Florida Road and Helen Joseph Road. Durban its the perfect place for visitors.

About the destination: St Lucia is a settlement in Umkhanyakude District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The small town is mainly a hub for the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. KwaZulu Natal is a world in one province: to the North of Durban you will find the best of African game reserves and pristine beaches, to the West lie the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and temperate Midlands while to the South there await superb golf courses, fishing spots and miles of subtropical coastline. The Kingdom of the Zulu, KwaZulu Natal is a melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures. This province boasts two World Heritage Sites, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the majestic Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.

About the destination: Mbabane is the capital and largest city in Swaziland. It is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdzimba Mountains. It is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital. The city centre consist of two small malls, a taxi and bus range, a hotel and at some open markets. The surrounding area is picturesque with small mountains all around. An evening drive out of town on Pine Valley Road provides gorgeous green pastoral views.

About the destination: The Kruger Park is an all year round destination, with each season bringing its own highlights. Whatever time you decide to safari in the Kruger National Park. Game viewing can be at its best during the dry winters months, however the wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, many newborn wildlife and the summer migrant birds arrive.

About the destination: Graskop is a small town in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It was set up in the 1880s as a gold mining camp but it now serves as a tourist destination and the timber industry. The name is Afrikaans for grassy hillock. “God’s Window”, a scenic view from the escarpment of the Lowveld below, is located outside the town.

About the destination: Johannesburg is the port of entry for the majority of tourists visiting South Africa and its largest city. First time visitors may also not be aware that Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60km from each other, but the two cities are worlds apart, and the contrast is fascinating. South Africa's largest city is cosmopolitan, quirky and vibrant with glorious weather and friendly people. One of Johannesburg endearing characteristics is that it is a truly international and very cosmopolitan place. Johannesburg is unapologetically and unmistakably African with enough First World infrastructure to make for comfortable tourism. Newtown and the Market Theatre area are the city's cultural precinct. Braamfontein, the university area, has a great Saturday market, lively night life, is very artsy. Don’t miss the stunning Apartheid Museum. The most well-known and celebrated of South Africa's townships is Soweto, the sprawling mix of shanty town and formal housing estates that lies approximately 30km outside of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Johannesburg offers lots of interesting and often quirky things to do, be willing to scratch beneath the surface and you'll find enough to happily occupy a few days and provide excellent context to help you understand the turbulent history that has made South Africa what it is today.