South Africa is a place with so much to offer that you could spend a lifetime exploring its vibrant cities, thriving national parks and miles of pristine coastline, and still barely scratch the surface of what really makes it so special. There are many aspects of the country that set it apart from anywhere else in the African continent – or the world for that matter – and surprises, delights, thrills and adventures lie in wait around every corner for seasoned traveller and wide-eyed first-time visitor alike.

The country’s history may stretch back over millennia, but the origins of its largest city, Johannesburg, are closer at hand. In 1886 an Australian named George Harrison (no relation of the Fab Four’s guitarist) discovered gold on a site close to what is now the present-day urban sprawl, which led to an influx of prospectors keen to strike it rich, and the town blossomed rapidly. Ever since, visitors to Johannesburg have continued to unearth a rich seam of treasures, whether cultural, artistic or culinary.

“the Soweto neighbourhood is world-famous for its crucial role in the struggle against apartheid. It remains vibrant, eclectic and culturally significant to this day”

In Johannesburg’s Sandton district a cosmopolitan atmosphere is complemented by a wealth of restaurants, museums and galleries, while the Soweto neighbourhood is world-famous for its crucial role in the struggle against apartheid. It remains vibrant, eclectic and culturally significant to this day.

Johannesburg is also home to the Apartheid Museum, which offers a moving and thought-provoking overview of one of the most shameful chapters in modern history. Visitors are randomly assigned either a ‘white’ or ‘non-white’ ticket on arrival, determining which entrance they can use and highlighting the arbitrary cruelty of minority rule and enforced segregation. Likewise, visitors are encouraged to pay a visit to Johannesburg’s Liliesleaf Farm, where anti-apartheid activists would meet and organise, and where leading lights of the movement, including Nelson Mandela, were arrested in 1963 before facing trial and decades of imprisonment.

Paying respect to the past and learning its lessons are powerfully ingrained in South African life, but that does not mean it is a society weighed down with the baggage of history. Quite the opposite – it is, more than anything, a youthful, dynamic and vibrant place teeming with colour, positivity and life.

The wildlife in Kruger National Park alone justifies the voyage to South Africa’s shores. The so-called ‘big five’ species dwelling within the country’s largest game reserve – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhinoceros – serve as emblems of African wildlife in general, and the attempts to preserve these remarkable animals along with their natural habitat have ensured that a vital part of the world’s heritage survives for the benefit of everybody. Thankfully those hoping to shoot them on a safari these days are armed with cameras rather than rifles.

But the wildlife is merely one aspect of the spectacular visual tapestry that the country has to offer. The stunning red sandstone cliffs of the nearby Blyde River Canyon tower over the landscape, and the perfect vantagepoint from which to appreciate their scale and majesty is from the deck of a riverboat drifting lazily upstream.

The variety of terrain in South Africa is truly overwhelming. The country sprawls over more than a million square kilometres, and within its borders the landscape ranges from arid desert to lush grassland, from sparkling beaches to bustling cities, and from breathtaking mountains to subtropical forests. In the area around Knysna in the Western Cape Province, for example, sleepy seaside towns glisten like jewels against the verdant forest backdrop, while down on the shoreline gleaming white beaches of unspoilt sand arc languidly around tranquil lagoons of azure blue.

“It’s diverse character is reflected in its broad variety of architecture, including French, German and Dutch influences. It may be a city of many faces but it is united in its own distinct spirit of self-reliance and good cheer”

Further along the coast, several hundred miles west of Knysna, is Cape Town, which is renowned for its spectacular panoramic scenery. In the shadow of Table Mountain the city slopes down to the sea, and within its lively streets and teeming public squares it hosts an astonishing jumble of voices, traditions and cultures. It diverse character is reflected in its broad variety of architecture, including French, German and Dutch influences. It may be a city of many faces but it is united in its own distinct spirit of self-reliance and good cheer.

Above the streets of Cape Town, brightly coloured cable cars glint in the sun as they make the journey to the plateau of Table Mountain, beyond which sprawl mile after mile of abundantly fertile vineyards. In this wine country inland from Cape Town, on the banks of the Franschhoek River, any visitor would be foolish not to embrace the many opportunities for wine-tasting, even if just out of a spirit of disinterested scientific exploration. And if after several hours of intense research the taster finds herself in need of a lie down, there is sure to be a shady vine nearby under which to recline, as well as some delicious local fare to sample.

Almost everywhere in the country the mouth-watering smell of the traditional braai –  an open-air grill, similar to a barbecue – fills the air, and no visit to South Africa would be complete without sampling at least some of the many regional delicacies on offer. The braai serves a central role in South African culture, providing a vital opportunity for neighbour to meet neighbour and take part in a social tradition that brings together all races, classes and nationalities. Inland, traditionally prepared and seasoned game meat is the order of the day, while closer to the coast fresh seafood sizzles temptingly on the grill. One of South Africa’s most famous dishes is chakalaka, a spicy concoction of vegetables with as many regional variations as the braai itself – to many in the know, this fiery side-dish is the heart and soul of any authentic South African lunch or dinner party.

“The lessons learnt from the apartheid era transcend national and racial boundaries, and the accomplishments of those who brought about positive change in the country are a testament to the indomitable dignity of the human spirit”

South Africa’s rich history, combined with its abundance of natural wonders and vibrant modern cultural scene, make it a destination that everybody should experience at least once, and its inexhaustible array of wonders provides a lifetime of memories. The country has long been revered for its native diamonds and other precious gemstones, but the real treasures are to be found above the ground in its landscapes, wildlife and people.

The forward-looking, optimistic nature of South Africans is inspirational, and the way in which the country has transitioned from the struggles of a troubled recent past to embrace a bright future built on tolerance, diversity and peaceful cooperation serves as an inspiration. The lessons learnt from the apartheid era transcend national and racial boundaries, and the accomplishments of those who brought about positive change in the country are a testament to the indomitable dignity of the human spirit.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the South African province of Gauteng has been dubbed ‘the Cradle of Humankind’ on account of the startling archaeological discoveries made there, which tell the story of mankind’s earliest origins – thanks to a warm welcome, friendly faces and hearty food, even the newcomer to modern-day South Africa is sure to feel that in many ways they are coming home.

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