Destination: South Africa

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Body & Soul Rejuvenation

South Africa is one of the continent’s most urbanised countries, but the rejuvenating power of the African bush is never far away.



The vast Karoo is one of the best places to experience this, with its stark landscapes and striking light patterns. The beautiful town of Graaff-Reinet makes an excellent starting point. Namaqualand’s rugged expanses are also stunning, especially in springtime when the plains are carpeted with wildflowers.

Along the coast, head to the wilds of Maputaland, where you’ll be greeted at sunrise with bird calls echoing over the waterways. At nearby Mkhuze Game Reserve, sit by a pan at dawn, listening to the sounds of the bush and watching the wildlife parade before you.

The magical mountain village of Hogsback is tamer, but no less enticing. Its relaxing setting and organic-foods–based cuisine are ideal for recharging. Want to go upscale? Book a few days at the Santé Wellness Centre outside Paarl.

For something loftier, take in the scene from a perch at the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment in the Central Berg, listening to the wind in the ravines. Rounding out the picture is the magnificent Kalahari, with its shifting red- and white-sands, unforgettable sunsets and endless expanses punctuated by prehistoric vegetation. Then journey to the Overberg and, to finish things up, stand at Cape Agulhas under spray from the crashing seas, and revel in being at Africa’s southern tip.

Travelling to South Africa?
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