Visited by nearly 10 million people each year, South Africa is one of Africa’s most popular holiday destinations.

With its gold-sand beaches, picturesque mountains, world-class national parks, and vibrant cultural tapestry, it’s not hard to see why South Africa is a popular holiday destination with people from all walks of life.

South Africa’s most popular attractions remain its national parks, with the nineteen parks covering landscapes and wildlife of astonishing diversity. From the seemingly endless savannah of Kruger National Park to arid deserts, jagged peaks, and windswept coastline, South Africa’s parks cover the gamut and promise something for all tastes.

The cities of South Africa are every bit as varied as its landscapes. Popular Cape Town, nestled in the shadow of iconic Table Mountain and surrounded by vineyards, is a cosmopolitan international city alive with clubs, restaurants, and gorgeous beaches. Cruisy beachside Durban boasts a melting pot of cultures that makes it a fantastic place to indulge your adventurous palette, while South Africa’s largest township, Soweta offers a glimpse into the country’s often dark apartheid past.

For lovers of dramatic landscapes, places like Blyde River Canyon and the famous Garden Route are photographic gold.

The Rainbow Nation – so called for its eleven official languages and dozens of different tribes and European descended cultures – is sure to charm and confront you. While the nation has made huge strides towards greater equality, it is nonetheless a country where you can still see the scars of racial discrimination. Sites such as the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, offer some insight into the country’s often tumultuous past.