Cape Town is as much about the surrounding areas as the city itself. Many people make the mistake of thinking a few days will suffice but the minimum recommended time for the area is 5 days.  Besides visting the V&A Waterfront, shopping and doing the ‘must do’s’ like a trip up Table Mountain, visitors often don’t take into account that a visit of the beautiful Cape Peninsula needs a full day dedicated to really appreciating the scenic coastlines, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and not forgetting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. 

Robben Island is a half day trip and it’s great to combine with lunch or dinner at the V&A Waterfront afterwards.  You can plan a full day doing Robben Island and Waterfront.   The cable-way to Table Mountain closes in unfavourable weather or strong winds, so it is advisable to have a few days to ‘play with’ to ensure that you do have the opportunity to do this. 

Then there are the shops, visiting the city centre as well as the surrounding areas of Bloubergstrand, False Bay and not to forget some time to relax on the beaches and also enjoy some of the many restaurants Cape Town has to offer. 

Only a 'hop and skip' from Cape Town, the Winelands as a destination offers an excellent combination of indulgence, history and visual pleasure! Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest town, with its oak lined streets and historical buildings, holding secrets of the early pioneers of the Cape is a great base to explore the Winelands.
Franschhoek, the 'gastronomic' centre of the Winelands offers a picturesque setting below the Franschhoek Mountains and understandable why the Huguenots sought refuge here in early days. There is a wide selection of top class restaurants, coffee shops as well as wine farms in close proximity to pass the days away.

Within a 2-3 hour radius of Cape Town you will find the 'whale capital' of Hermanus, the arid regions of the West Coast and Cedarberg and, slightly more inland, the farmlands of the Route 62. All make good 2 or 3 day trips from Cape Town and the R62 (via Outshoorn for the ostriches and the Cango Caves ) is the best way on to the Garden Route.

Stretching from Swellendam to Tsitsikamma, the Garden Route offers visitors a diverse experience ranging from rolling landscapes, semi-desert arid region of Oudtshoorn to the lush forests of the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas. Lovely white beaches in the Mossel Bay, Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay completes this destination as an excellent choice for all ages.

The Garden Route isn't really a "route" but a destination in its own right. Good beaches, restaurants and loads to see and do, make it a great place to spend 3 to 5 days. Once there we recommend you make a base in Knysna or Plettenberg Bay.

Only a short distance to the Eastern Cape's malaria free big five game reserves, this destination lends the opportunity for a great, malaria-free 'beach and bush' holiday.

Situated in the eastern part of South Africa, the Eastern Cape is fast becoming South Africa's hottest holiday destination. The region is malaria free, offers a host of top class "Big Five" game destinations, with the added advantage that travelling closer to the coast, you can also enjoy the "Big Six", namely whales, the silent giants of the sea.

Rich in history, Xhosa culture and the homeland of former President Nelson Mandela. Whilst visiting you can enjoy the warm Indian ocean, excellent gaming as well as learn more about the origins of the wars between the Xhosa's and Settlers as they integrated the homelands. Interestingly these wars precede the Zulu Battles and have had a major impact on the turn of events in the developing of South Africa, dating back to the 1800's.

A safari in the Eastern Cape is easily incorporated into a holiday in Cape Town with direct flights to Port Elizabeth. Most of the reserves being within a 1 to 2 hour radius from here, avoiding long distances of travelling. Alternatively a stay in the Eastern Cape compliments the end of any Garden Route holiday with easy connections back to either Cape Town or Johannesburg.

No introduction needed! The Kruger area, situated in the north eastern region of South Africa is synonymous with the "Big Five" game and the first destination that comes to mind of any would be safari goer. Can be accessed by driving from Johannesburg or by taking a short internal flight. Beside the Kruger National Park itself, there are a number of private reserves situated adjacent to the park that offer a fully inclusive safari experience.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, situated in the southern area of Kruger is by far the most popular and offers a host of exclusive lodges where clients can enjoy a wholesome safari experience. The Timbivati and Thornybush Game Reserves are situated in the northern regions and although less populated than the Sabi Sands area, there are some really special lodges to choose from. Cost is expensive but no one ever regrets paying a bit more for the unique experience of a private reserve.

Kruger is a malaria area, so precautions are recommended. Please contact your local travel clinic for more detailed information and advice regarding the best precautions to take.

Access to the Kruger region is easy with direct flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg to the new Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport. Alternatively a self-drive is possible from Johannesburg and driving time ranges from between 4 - 5 hours depending on which area you visiting. Fleewinter can also help with planning a personalised driving itinerary to include all the highlights of the region.

Anyone who knows a little about South Africa has probably heard of Sun City and Sol Kerzner’s luxury resort with casino, Gary Player golf course and 4 hotels – The Palace being the most luxurious and accommodated many celebrities.  Only 2 hours from Johannesburg makes it easily accessible. 

Slightly further north, the ‘big five’ game regions of Madikwe Game Reserve and the Waterberg Game Reserve are increasing in popularity and giving Kruger some healthy ‘competition.  These areas are malaria free, located within a 3–4 hour drive from Johannesburg and also offer great a safari experience. 

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s main hubs when it comes to flying around Southern Africa.  Most flights to the more remote parts of South Africa and Africa usually leave from Johannesburg, thus if you doing a holiday combining a number of flights, you will possibly need to spend at least one night here. 

There are a number of hotels located nearby the airport and for those who prefer a quieter stay in a guest house or B&B the suburbs of Sandton, Fourways and Edenvale offer this.  Pretoria is located within a 50 minute drive and is also a popular choice. 

The vast expanse of the Drakensberg is a must for any person who enjoys tranquil surrounds and hiking. Easily accessible from both Johannesburg and Durban and complimentary to any longer holiday through South Africa.

The Battlefields is a region in its own right and combines well with a stay in the Drakensberg or a visit along the northern coastline of Natal. A guide is recommended for the Battlefields, and most lodges offer inclusive packages to achieve this.

The Natal North Coast is easily accessible from Durban and offers the variety of warm Indian Ocean waters as well as some exciting ‘big five’ game viewing in the Hluhluwe region.  There are a number of private reserves in the area to choose from.  The beach areas of Sodwana and Kosi Bay are popular for diving and swimming. 

Some of the northern wetlands regions of Natal are malaria areas, and we suggest you contact your doctor for recommended prophylactics should you be visiting any of these regions.

Nestled in the north eastern region, Swaziland is bordered by South Africa and Mozambique.  There are daily direct flights from Johannesburg, however as a destination Swaziland is more popular being included as a 1-3 night stay in a self-drive holiday exploring South Africa.  Having said that, Swaziland boasts some great game reserves, hiking, horse trails, hiking as well as colourful handmade crafts and the culture of the local Swazis.  Swaziland is a perfect link between the Kruger region and the northern regions of Natal. 

Becoming one of Africa's hottest destinations with its tropical beaches, warm waters and palm trees. Most connections between lodges within Mozambique are achieved by scheduled and charter flights as well as boat transfers, as road networks are not as developed. A great way to end off any African holiday by spending a few days relaxing on the beach and indulging in tropical spoils. We recommend a minimum of 4-5 nights to be able to enjoy this experience.

Time to get your atlas out. Victoria Falls is nestled between the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia and is easily reached by plane from Johannesburg.  We would recommend a minimum of 3 nights at Victoria Falls – all depending on what you want to do. 

For the adventurous you can enjoy the world’s best one day white water rafting – which needs a day to do this.  There is elephant back riding, bungee jumping, cultural tours, micro-flight trips over the Falls or some gentle canoeing on the upper Zambezi.  Then of course you want some time to relax as well! 

A great combination is to hop across to Botswana’s Chobe Game reserve for 2 or 3 nights to enjoy a big game safari.  Victoria Falls is an easy add-on to compliment a holiday in South Africa.

Botswana as a destination offers a variety of experiences – from the flood plains of the Okavango Delta, the great elephant herds in Chobe to the arid desert of the Kalahari. 

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is the world’s largest inland delta and within the Moremi Game Reserve there is a wide variety of game, making this a very popular safari destination.  Maun is the central access point and there are daily flights from Johannesburg. 

Chobe Game Reserve is renowned for its elephant sightings and being able to do a boat cruise on the Chobe River gives a new dimension to game viewing. 

The Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans offers a unique desert experience and opportunity to interact with primitive bushman still living most of their traditional lifestyle.  Witness the migration of the large herds of wildebeest and zebra or just enjoy the serenity and awe of the unique salt pans of the Makgadikgadi.  During the wet season large flocks of flamingos come to feed at the waters.

Our favourite way to describe the desert country of Namibia is "a whole lot of nothing, but captivatingly beautiful". With flight connections from South Africa and Botswana, Namibia is easily combined as a destination. There is a relatively good road infrastructure, the majority of roads are well maintained gravel roads, making driving yourself possible. Remoter parts do require private flights to reach and this is possible from most of the major towns.