LUXURY SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

'A world in one country' is how South Africa is often described. Its diversity is astounding, and its size impressive with a landmass that equals France and Spain combined. There are vast windswept deserts with honey-coloured dunes, sun-drenched, vineyard-covered mountains and pulsating, vibrant cities.

A Big Five safari destination without par, there are multiple game reserves and national parks to choose from: Kruger, Samara, Madikwe or Kwazulu Natal where hippo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, meerkats, wild dogs, kudu, hyena and ostrich can be spotted. The regions of Constancia, Franschhoek and Hemel-en-Aarde are increasingly recognised as much for their spectacular gourmet offerings as for their wines. The colonial-influenced Western Cape is not only known for its Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture –particularly in Stellebosch – but also as the beginning of the glorious Garden Route. It stretches over one hundred and twenty-five miles of staggering coastline, starting at Mossel Bay and extending all the way to Storm River in the neighbouring Eastern Cape. Bordered by pine forests and fragrant fynbos bushes and punctuated with gorges, pristine sandy beaches and rocky coves, this is nature at its most exquisite.

Also known as the 'Cradle of Humankind', South Africa is believed to have been where humankind originated more than 100,000 years ago – and a wealth of hominid fossils has been excavated and can be seen at the World Heritage site in Gauteng. With Red Savannah and their tailor-made itineraries, you can watch whales and Great White Sharks in Walker Bay, explore the historic battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana, beach flop in Plettenberg Bay, shop in Cape Town or track the Big Five.