When you think of South Africa, it’s difficult not to imagine beautiful Cape Town, with Table Mountain presiding majestically behind it. Cape Town can be a vacation by itself, with beaches, botanic gardens, the Cape of Good Hope and even penguins awaiting your visit. There’s also Johannesburg’s contemporary art; South Africa's Winelands; Indian-flavored Durban and the Garden Route along the southern coast, and Kruger National Park for safari experiences to fill your memory books. (see more below)

As in most of Africa, transportation options dwindle as you move away from the population centers and larger cities. In South Africa, this distinction is somewhat less pronounced, with shared taxi service and bus service connecting most of the smaller towns to the larger urban areas, as well as a good train system connecting the big cities to each other. One of the world’s great rail vacations, the Blue Train, actually ends up in Johannesburg. There is also the Rovos Rail in South Africa, a vintage train that makes for a lovely vacation inclusion. Many people who vacation in South Africa come for a safari, and the most common form of transport for these trips is by bush plane, which cuts down the potential for long drive times by road, and provides an added bonus, where you get to see Africa from a bird’s eye view. TravelStore can arrange travel by bush plane during your stay, as well as private car and driver where required.

South Africa’s sub-tropical climate borders on temperate. South Africa enjoys four complete seasons, though travelers from the Northern Hemisphere should note that these seasons occur opposite to their schedule in the north.

There’s terrific cuisine in South Africa, and we’ve never known anyone to return from a trip unfulfilled. Some of the local standouts include: Bobotie is a Malay meatloaf with raisins and egg baked in. Ostrich is an increasingly popular low cholesterol protein source served grilled or in a stew. Potjiekos is a traditional Afrikaans stew made with meat and vegetables and cooked over coals in cast-iron pots. Biltong, a salty dried meat (typically seasoned with coriander seeds and salt) similar to jerky. Rooibos is a popular indigenous tea in South Africa.

A Grain of Wheat (N. wa Thiong'o), The Constant Gardener (J. Le Carre), Out of Africa (I. Dinesen), Born Free (J. Adamson), Always Another Country (S. Msimang).