Western Cape, South Africa

There are very few places in the country that can boast such a diversity of natural places of beauty as the Western Cape. The Garden Route follows the coastline of the Indian Ocean on the Eastern Cape Coast, between a belt of mountain ranges, the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains inland. The Garden Route enjoys one of the mildest and most equable climates, with unspoiled golden beaches, beautiful lagoons and estuaries and boasts in excess of 250 species of birds.

The Garden Route stretches along the coastal plateau at the foot of the mountains, through a quite world of high, primeval forests, and deep gorges rushing clear mountain streams to the sea. Enjoy a fairy-tale steam train ride through the Lake District on the Outeniqua Choo-choo! Explore the depths of the primeval forests, where the last of the Knysna elephants live their secret lives. Drive to the top of the Knysna Heads to view a spectacular vista of land and sea!

The Cape Peninsula, with Cape Town and the Wine Route, is one of South Africa's premier tourist destinations with an absolute plethora of attractions. Table Mountain and its Aerial Cableway has become a renowned icon, and are famous throughout the world for its majestic setting. The whole of Table Mountain is a nature reserve, and there are countless footpaths and nature trails leading up along its slopes. Over the centuries visitors have marveled, not only at the peninsula's natural splendor, but also at the cultural diversity of the “Mother City.”

The Winelands of South Africa have been described as the most beautiful in the World, and with a multitude of wine estates in the Eerste River and Berg River valleys, visitors may taste their wines from bottles set out in the cellars, and the same wines may be purchased from the estates during normal business hours. No trip is complete without a tour of, at least, one or two wine routes.

Inland, over the Outeniqua Mountains you will find the Klein Karoo with Oudtshoorn, which is the capital of ostrich land, and is the heart of Ostrich farming worldwide. Undoubtedly the most popular attraction of the area is the subterranean wonderland of the Cango Caves. The caves with its own museum form the tourist hub of the Klein Karoo and are a must to visit.